Vieux Chateau Certan 1970

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted June 2002 at David Pope's. An awesome perfumed nose with waves of sweet cherry & leather wafting from the glass. Wonderful balance with savory fruits and chocolate. Fine length and balance. Very youthful with fine complexity and finesse. Reminiscent of the 1961. Drink over 5 years. A less impressive bottle at the CECWINE event in March 2004 from a magnum. A garnet core with pale brick rim. A heavy sediment. The nose lacks freshness and definition - a bit blowsy with a touch of volatility. The palate is quite vigorous with high acidity but lacks the breed of the bottle tried a couple of years ago. A cumbersome wine, but in a kind of attractive way. I would like to try another bottle as there was such a wide variation in my two experiences.

robert_parker80

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A burgundian aroma of cherry fruit and earthy, oaky, spicy components is satisfactory enough. On the palate, the 1970 Vieux-Chateau-Certan is moderately concentrated, light, fruity, and charming. However, it has little of the power, richness, and depth expected. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 4/80.

robert_parker88

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Bipin Desai VCC vertical in Los Angeles. The VCC ‘70 has always been a “solid”, decent ‘70 without the thrills and spills. It has a mahogany core with tawny rim, certainly showing its age. The nose is quite sharp, quite “punchy” with mulberry, a touch of soy and overt herbaceous elements showing through; moderate if not high levels of vigour. The palate is medium-bodied, fully mature, less masculine and tannic than other ‘70 Bordeaux wines but with admirable poise and grace. There are hints of capsicum and green bell pepper infusing the frayed finish, moderate length with a nice citrus hint on the “fluffy” finish. This is a commendable VCC, although the ‘71 is a better wine. Drink now-2015. Tasted November 2008.

vinous85

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1970 Vieux Château Certan was served blind. To be honest, I have never really been taken with this vintage in the past. Here, there is fine delineation on the nose, but clearly it lacks the complexity of the 1971 served alongside. Touches of wilted rose in an antique vase, but little else. The palate is medium-bodied, balanced, but there is a sense of hollowness to the 1970 that you expect on the 1969, but not here. Some bitterness on the finish. Sub-par. Tasted at the Vieux Château Certan dinner at La Trompette.