Vieux Château Certan Pomerol 2005

97 points Wine Spectator: "Shows violet, olive and sliced plum on the nose, with Indian spices and hints of cappuccino and chocolate. Complex. Very pretty and aromatic. Full-bodied, with wonderfully sweet fruit and chewy yet ripe tannins. Last for minutes on the palate. The best young red ever from this producer. Best after 2011. (3/31/08)"

97 points James Suckling: "This begins with a sexy roasted fruit character on the nose, then opens up to hints of spice, chocolate, wet earth, and dried flowers. The palate is incredible, with a concentration that builds, and a finish that remains agile and racy. Very defined and beautiful wine with great length and freshness. This still needs some time in the bottle. Pull the cork in 2018. (4/9/12)"

95+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2005 Vieux Château Certan is still a very young wine, even out of half bottle, but its ultimate quality is very, very clear and all that is needed is more time in the cellar. The pure and primary bouquet jumps from the glass in a fine blend of black cherries, plums, Cuban cigar wrapper, gravel, espresso and cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with excellent soil signature, lovely focus and balance, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a very long, poised and tangy finish. Like so many of the very top 2005 Bordeaux, this is a long distance runner and is still in need of extended cellaring before it will start to stir. 2032-2100. (Jan/Feb 2018)"

95 points Robert Parker: "A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035. (Apr 2008)"

95 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "I thought that Alexandre Thienpont had fashioned an exceptional wine out of barrel, though subsequent bottles have not quite lived up to that promise--until now. It is still quite backward and primal on the broody, almost introspective nose, yet it opens up with hints of black truffle and crushed stone. There is something almost feral and animally here (but not brett!) The palate is medium-bodied with a rigid, steely structure, the Cabernet Franc lending this real backbone and tension. Long in the mouth, it has fantastic length and precision. (Jul 2013)"

95 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, purple reflections, soft brightening on the rim. Ripe blackberry fruit, fine wood nuances, concentrated minerality, nougat. Juicy, powerful, energetic, fruit and persistent, still very young in a promising youth phase. Alcohol 13.5%. (Jan 2018)"

18/20 points Stephen Brook (The World of Fine Wine): "Very deep red. Very ripe nose, with delightful poise and lift; shows raspberry fruit, as well as cherries and a hint of mocha. In short, aromatically vivid and complex. Suave and fleshy, luxurious and velvety, and highly concentrated, this also has wonderful acidity and verve. It's surprisingly open and accessible, giving rather than reticent. Yet it doesn't seem quite as long and vibrant on the finish as I would expect. Nonetheless, a beauty. (Issue #26; 2009)"