Vieux Chateau Certan 2010 (750ML)

100 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2010 Vieux Château Certan is deep garnet in color, and—POW—the nose opens as a complete spice-bomb, featuring notes of fenugreek, cumin seed and cinnamon stick over a core of Black Forest cake, plum preserves and blueberry pie with hints of fragrant earth and crushed stones. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, it is laden with layers of black and blue fruit preserves, framed by super plush tannins, finishing epically long and perfumed." 03/20

100 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Rich yet restrained bramble fruits, which are ripe and precise (there’s 86% merlot here), together with meaty tones and less obvious cabernet franc leafiness. The attack on the palate is lush, with fine-tuned tannins, creamy weight and firm acidity. Power with grace. Youthful, with a huge potential for aging. Best from 2030, this will last for decades." 06/24

97 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2010 Vieux Château Certan has been compared to the 1950 by Alexandre Thienpont, who mentioned that berries were usually small, with yields at 35hl/ha. It's slightly deeper in color than the 2009. This has an outstanding, concentrated bouquet with black fruit, melted tar, cedar and a touch of morels (as noted previously). There is better delineation compared to the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with an almost Côte de Nuits-like texture and perfect acidity, and the tannins are present but fine. Incense and licorice join the fray with time. It's harmonious on the finish with ample freshness. This magnificent VCC is only in its first couple of chapters. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Drink between 2027-2060)" 07/24

97 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "Slowly opening, taking its time and yet full of precise, fleshy pleasure. This is an understated 2010 as far as the vintage goes on the Right Bank, muscular while full of elegance and mouth watering pleasure. Dark chocolate notes, a fistful of tannins, fleshy but carefully extracted fruits, just a lovely example of Pomerol on the subtler side of the street. (Drink between 2020-2042)" 01/20