What the Critics Are Saying:
Vieux Chateau Certan 2025
99 Points, Peter Moser, www.falstaff.com:
“Deep, dark ruby-garnet color, opaque core, violet highlights, delicate lightening at the rim. Delicate notes of black cherries, a hint of strawberry jam, ripe plums, a touch of candied orange zest, underpinned by delicate nougat. Complex, extract-driven sweetness, black berry jam, a hint of licorice, ripe, substantial tannins, a subtle chocolate note on the finish, very good length, assured aging potential.”
98-100 Points, Jeff Leve, www.thewinecellarinsider.com:
“Violets, iris, black cherries, blue fruits, chocolate, cocoa, licorice, mint leaves, and truffles create the wine's complex aromatics. However, it is on the palate that the wine truly steals the show. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated, opulent, and palate-staining, the wine coats your mouth, teeth, and gums with layers of plums and cherries drenched in dark chocolate. The finish is intense, long, full, rich, deep, and seamless, and you will notice it in your glass. Part of the wine's success in 2025 was blending fruit from young vines planted in 2015, which helped achieve the drinkability you already find in your glass. The wine blends 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 8 - September 18. Yields were only 22 hectoliters. Drink from 2030-2065.”
98-99 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:
“Subtle and pure, with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, pencil shavings and touches of raspberries, flowers, oyster shells and iodine. Medium-bodied with subtle and integrated tannins that run the length of the wine and make you want to drink it. The length and finesse are sublime. A mineral, stone and light cement texture. It grows beautiful in the great finish. 80% merlot, 15% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon.”
Château Guillot-Clauzel 2025
95-97 Points, Jeff Leve, www.thewinecellarinsider.com:
“Roses, violets, mint, chocolate, black cherries, crushed stone, and metallic notes crowd the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, vibrant, refined and elegant, with the perfect amount of lift giving energy to the fleshy fruits and their chocolate-edged character. This remains an insider’s secret in Pomerol, but not for long. Production averages only 500 cases per vintage. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV. Harvested September 11–15. Guillaume Thienpont of Vieux Château Certan oversees the estate. Drink 2029–2055.”
95 Points, Georgina Hindle, www.decanter.com:
“Lovely fragrant aromatics with rose petals, liquorice and a distinctly savoury character. Crunchy yet silky, smooth and succulent, with real bite and an al dente freshness to the fruit. Supple and vibrant, framed by elegant tannins and cool blue fruit alongside flinty wet-stone notes. There is a touch of both Vieux Château Certan and Le Pin in its profile. A mineral wine marked by iron, liquorice and salty oyster shell nuances. Ripe and concentrated yet juicy, fresh and effortless to enjoy. Finishes crisp and lightly powdery. One of the strongest performances of the vintage, showing excellent definition and greater freshness than 2022.”
93-95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com:
“A Merlot-dominant blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from gravelly soils beside Le Pin, the 2025 Château Guillot-Clauzel is aged in equal thirds of new, once-used and second-fill barrels. Deep ruby-hued, it reveals a beautifully perfumed bouquet of red and black fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco and floral spice. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with no hard edges and outstanding length, it delivers remarkable charm and character in the vintage.”
