The 2013 Vieux Château Certan has plentiful fruit on the nose considering the vintage: raspberry coulis, crushed strawberry and a touch of blackcurrant pastilles. The palate is medium-bodied and while it might not rank with the greatest VCC's of recent years in terms of complexity, there is admirable depth and purity with a crisp, almost edgy finish that leaves you wanting another sip. This comes recommended for the vintage and I suspect it will give 12-15 years of drinking pleasure. - robertparker.com, October 2016

This is soft and silky with chocolate, orange peel and dust. Medium body, round and light tannins. Fresh finish. Drink now. - jamessuckling.com, February 2016

The 2013 Vieux Chateau Certan is a wine of extraordinary finesse and elegance. Blue and purplish-toned fruits, violets, lavender, sweet spices and mint are woven together in a fabric of stunning beauty. The 2013 is translucent, weightless and simply impeccable throughout. Clearly, the structure is that of an average year, but the sheer beauty is that of a superb site. There is so much to like here.

(92% merlot and 8% cabernet franc): Bright ruby. Perfumed, very pure aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant and violet. Enters the mouth bright and fresh, with juicy small red and dark berry flavors complicated by hints of iron and cedar. The finish is long and a little austere. Another solid 2013 wine that is only missing the fruit and charm of the better vintages. Interestingly, while many in Bordeaux (Medoc estates included) are starting to increase their use of cabernet franc, even if only by small amounts, at VCC the percentage of this variety seems to be decreasing almost every year.

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Mocha at first. Then juicy on the palate. Lively and just a little dry at the very end. But refreshing, elegant and harmonious in the context of this vintage. (JH)

Glowing garnet. Quite fragrant with some backbone around which flesh is evident. Seriously constructed and a wine with some length even if the (quite long) finish has something a little unripe about it. (JR)