Vieux Château Certan 1995

The 1995 Vieux Château Certan is a very capable wine that is now reaching its peak. The Cabernet Franc has always been the key component, imparting a lovely ferrous, undergrowth note on the nose that neatly counterbalances the intense red and black fruit laced with mint. The palate is ripe and generous with kirsch and red plum, quite saturated and maybe even "glossy". Maybe my one criticism is the toastiness of the oak on the finish that lends it a Rioja-like personality, but otherwise this is very fine. Taken from the Pomerol book authored by Neal Martin.

The 1995 is similarly made to the 1994, with more color saturation and ripe fruit, as well as lower acidity and less grip. The dark ruby/purple color is followed by a bouquet of smoky, red and black-currants, licorice, and cedar. It is a lush, rich, medium to full-bodied wine with extremely low acidity and an open, pleasing, easy to understand style. It should drink well for 12-15 years. If it gains weight or exhibits more extract, it will move into the 90-point category.