100 Points for Vieux Château Certan

Vieux Château Certan has been making superb wines for decades. I have tasted VCCs from the 1940s and 1950s that are spectacular, particularly the 1945 and 1950. However, I believe that the property now is making as good or better wines – particularly its current released 2009. The wine, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, is always racy and complex. It’s never a blockbuster. It impresses with its combination of strength and finesse.

The 30-acres of vineyards are located just next door to Petrus and La Conseillante. I had to go to the winery this week and ask the winemaker Alexandre Thienpont what’s it like making a perfect 100-point wine with his 2009. Watch his response. He is one of the top winemakers of Bordeaux at the moment.