The 2017 Vieux Château Certan was picked in three passages through the vineyard, 12 and 13 September, 18 and 19 September and finally 25 September to 2 October. The yields are 37hl/ha with 14.2° alcohol and a 3.75 pH. It is the first vintage to contain Cabernet Sauvignon for several years. It has a very pure, Merlot-driven bouquet with black cherries, redcurrant and wild strawberry scents, just a hint of iris and incense in the background. The 70% new oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin, a deep well of black and red fruit interwoven with allspice, truffle, white pepper and a little sage. This Vieux Château Certan manifests more complexity and profundity as it aerates, delivering genuine, spine-tingling mineralité on the persistent finish. It gains even more precision when I return to the property to re-taste it again. Tasted twice, ten days apart at the property. 94-96 points

Extremely bright, dark fruit aromas are joined by hints of gooseberry a

No frost damage thanks to their location on the plateau, but they were among the lucky ones. Good yields here for old vines (mostly 1932–82 and a small parcel of younger Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 2012, Cabernet Franc planted 1959). 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 5% (young-vines) Cabernet Sauvignon, which they included for aromatic lift. According to Alexandre Thienpont, it is `un Bordeaux de référence’ (benchmark bordeaux). pH 3.75, TA (sulphuric) 3.4 g/l, yield 37 hl/ha. Deepest crimson with black core. Not much aroma at first because the sample is cool. Rich, firm, dark and more savoury than usual, darker-fruited. Great freshness. Has impressive depth without weight. Very fine shape, great refinement even now. Feels like it is coiled tightly for the future. Dark beauty with just a very slight char on the finish and a long graphite aftertaste. Cool nights kept the freshness. 18.5 points

Composed of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep g