The Vieux Chateau Certan was cropped between 6th and 7th of September and from 14th until 20th September. That’s what you’ll read everywhere, although I was filming Alexandre when he was picking the final Cabernet around the 29th September! Cropped at 37hl/ha, it is a blend of 70% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and (yay!) 29% Cabernet Franc. It delivers 13.6 degrees alcohol with a total acidity of 3.5gms/L and an IPT of 83. After the Cabernet Francless 2009 and 2010, this is more what I consider to be a classic VCC nose and as Alexandre, unlike those previous vintages that gives you everything up front, this is far more intellectual and enigmatic with hints of mineral laden fruit, limestone and small dark cherries. It is beautifully defined yet distant. The palate is succinctly balanced with crisp acidity, exceptional balance and superb backbone. There is an undercurrent of masculinity, a saline tincture, crushed stone and a touch of dried herbs and yet these are just fleeting hints. It has enormous length and it is one of the very few that could be on the same ethereal plateau as the 2009 and 2010 and perhaps one day...even better. Tasted April 2012. – eRobertParker.com, May 2012

The aromas of this are so gorgeous, with blackberries, black cherries and wet earth. Full body with super-fine tannins and bright acidity. A firm, tightly structured young red with orange peel and other citrus fruit. This is so focused and straight. Try in 2018. – jamessuckling.com, Jan 2014

The 2011 VCC is a serious glass of wine. Immediately enticing on the nose with layers of plum, raisin and raspberry fruit, smoke, white flowers and sweet spice - this is a wine you can sniff and sniff. But eventually one has to taste and then, the palate does not disappoint: soft and round with surprising glycerol sweetness perfectly counterbalanced by a slight crunchy freshness. Mineral characters, toast and even a hint of caramel come through after the fruit and finishes long and satisfyingly. It may lack the weight and power of the 09 and 10 but it's so precise, focused and elegant it really stands up to its noisy neighbours - in fact some may prefer the sheer silken lightness of touch in the 2011 to previous years. Genuinely the 4th wonderful vintage in a row from VCC.

Very deep and broad for the vintage, this sports ample toast and loam notes, showing remarkable polish and heft. A core of ganache, fig, boysenberry preserves and melted licorice waits in reserve. Offers a fleshy feel through the finish, with lingering loam and maduro tobacco details. Best from 2017 through 2032. 3,500 cases made. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2014)

Good bright red-ruby. Expressive aromas of raspberry, cocoa, minerals and violet; very cabernet franc! Juicy, sappy and intense, with sharply delineated if still youthfully imploded flavors of floral red berries and minerals. Offers truly superb intensity and clarity, with harmonious lively acids giving the sweetly spicy red fruit flavors noteworthy penetration and cut. Highly perfumed on the long, pure finish which features lingering violet notes. This was my favorite wine of the Primeurs back in 2012 and subsequent retastings of the wine since then haven't changed my mind. Ian D'Agata

The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2011 Vieux Chateau Certan offers a beautiful bouquet of plums, black cherries, cassis and hints of graphite as well as spice, an excellent texture and medium body. A success in this difficult vintage, it should age easily for 10-15 years. Yet after the trilogy of great wines in 2008, 2009 and 2010, few consumers are likely to pay much attention to this 2011. 92-94 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #212, April 2014)

Coffee and dark fruit – a hint of torrefaction but not overripeness. Dark and elegant on the palate. Firm, compact but really fine tannins. Dry and elegant. – Julia Harding (jancisrobinson.com, Jan 2015)