Why You'll Love It? 

Pomerol is the smallest wine region in Bordeaux. It produces some of the best Merlot dominated blends in the world with special velvety texture and intense meaty flavours. A combination of the iron rich clay soil and climate (that's a tad too cold for cab Sauv) is perfect for producing bright, fresh Merlots not seen anywhere else in the world. What makes Merlots from Pomerol so special is that even the greatest are approachable at youth but will also evolve over decades.

Tastes Like?

The 2010 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 86% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. Production was lower than in 2009 and the alcohol slightly higher, but the pH is 3.7, which is surprisingly reasonable given the lofty power and alcoholic clout this full-bodied wine possesses. Dense purple-colored , the 2010 displays a vivid yet astonishing array of spice box, red, blue and black fruits, crushed rock and spring flowers. The oak is well-concealed behind the lavish concentration and richness. Exceptionally pure, this unbelievable wine flirts with perfection. Unfortunately, there is 20% less of it than in 2009, and the tannins warrant a good 8-10 years of cellaring, as I suspect it could actually close down. This is another 40- to 50-year effort in 2010 that should elicit considerable interest from wine consumers. 99 pts Robert Parker

Very small crop - 35 hl/ha (compared to 42 hl/ha in 2009). A Merlot vintage; only 8% Cabernet Franc. Average IPT is 90, with lots of acid. Very dark crimson. Pretty floral and scented and pretty. Very concentrated and intense. Lots of minerals on the finish. Lovely rich satisfying undertow. Hint of ripe pears oddly enough. Lovely completeness. Great balance and build. Very, very long. The strongest right-bank wine so far. Excellent layers. Very serious - a marvellously intellectual Merlot!
Score: 18.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011