I was able to taste both the 2015 and 2016 grand vins, and these are heavenly, magical wines that could not be any better. Starting with the 2015 Vieux Château Certan, it shows the opulent, flamboyant style of the vintage to a T and reveals a saturated purple/ruby color, a monster bouquet of blackberries, tobacco, kirsch, dried spices, and loamy earth, full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. A thrill a minute, wine doesn’t get any better, and I only wish every reader could taste this beauty. Drink it any time over the coming 30 years or more.

A compelling vintage for VCC, while the floral, truffle, mint, tobacco and chocolate covered cherry nose is exciting, it’s the perfect balance between the wines concentration, elegance, and sensuous opulence that makes this gem standout from the pack. This is at the start of its drinking window and will age for decades. Drink from 2026-2050 Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2015&wine=Vieux%20Chateau%20Certan

(97–99 points) Barrel Sample. This is a beautifully fragrant wine that has power along with an elegant acidity. It has wonderful juiciness that cuts through any of the tannins to give great freshness, a silky texture and fruitiness at the end. Perfumed and stylish, this is a very fine wine. — Roger Voss

Restrained dark chocolate and black olive to the meaty and savory nose, with undertones of ripe cassis. The overt, chocolatey character is enhanced by a vein of ripe cherry fruit and balanced by crisp acidity. Full-bodied with a rather bold finish. Amazingly rich. A wine with the DNA for the long haul, yet approachable now. Drink or hold.

(98+ points) Blended of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Vieux Chateau Certan opens with profound notes of blueberry compote, dried mulberries, black forest cake, licorice, violets and garrigue with wafts of black truffles, sandalwood and rose hips. Medium to full-bodied, very earthy/savory and beautifully layered with very plush yet present tannins, it offers lovely freshness and a very long minerally finish. So very Pomerol!- Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Expressive and alluring aromas of warm plum reduction and boysenberry puree lead off here, followed by fleshy, seamlessly layered notes of blackberry, black currant, melted black licorice and smoldering tobacco. Shows a lovely tug of dark earth through the finish without sacrificing a sense of polish or giving ground to the waves of fruit. Displays terrific latent energy through the finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. 3,750 cases made.

Aromatics here are a little more evolved than with the 2016, showing tar notes, Liquorice Allsorts, anise, raspberry and blackberry fruits. This is a good quality wine with impact and character and the subtle complex shades of flavour that VCC does so well. Really does need time in the glass, suggesting it will hit full stride in another two or three years.

The 2015 Vieux-Château-Certan can be highly variable from bottle to bottle. After two disappointing examples, this came out of the blue. It has an intense and powerful bouquet of black cherry, tobacco, brown spices and loamy aromas. This is very complex and compelling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, firm tannins surrounded by plenty of flesh. This is vibrant, with a little dark chocolate and espresso toward the finish though it doesn't mask the terroir. I have to put a question mark against my score due to its variability. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.- Neal Martin