1977 Vieux Chateau Certan
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Tasting notes
‘Disastrous frosts in the spring. Late flowering. June cold and wet. High rainfall in July. First half of August hot and dry, second half of August cool and damp. September was the driest and sunniest since 1851 with good harvest conditions over short, late period beginning of October. Moderate yields, deeply coloured grapes, not very sweet and quite acidic.’ Transparent garnet with a pale rim. Sweet, simple nose and a little metallic on the palate. Fresh and Loire-like without an especially deep undertow of ripe fruit but it’s an honest wine that’s starting to dry out. Very respectable for the vintage but not a great VCC. Not to be left to linger in the glass. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1977 Vieux Château Certan has a rather mundane nose with vestiges of fruit, but it is a bit dusty, with just a glimpse of bitter cherry on the monotone palate. It is not a complete write-off, but at the end of the day, it is uninteresting. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove.
About the producer
The original Château at Vieux Château Certan dates back to around 1770 but the modern history of the estate begins in 1924 - the year that Belgian wine merchant Georges Thienpont purchased the property.