Restrained minty notes with cassis, anise and clove, straw and assertive balsamic character. Full-bodied with a milk-chocolate flavor coming through and youthful tannins that are still oaky and chewy. The acidity drives long and gives a crunchy, ripe aftertaste. Still austere, but there's a lot of good substance for the long haul. Just a little warming. There is no cabernet sauvignon in this vintage. Best after 2030.

The 2020 Vieux Chateau Certan is a wine of total harmony and finesse. Absolutely nothing is out of place. Supple and seamless, the 2020 is an infant, but it is so impressive. Creme de cassis, lavender, mocha and licorice are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass, but more than anything else, the 2020 is a majestic Pomerol that will thrill those lucky enough to own it. There's not much else to say. The 2020 spent 18 months in barrel, 65% new.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Vieux Chateau Certan bursts with aromas of blackberries, sweet spices, rose petals, orange zest, burning embers and violets framed by a deft application of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's rich and layered, with a more broad, unctuous profile than the pure and refined 2019, concluding with a long, resonant finish.

This wine has a surprising amount of Merlot in the blend for the estate. That gives richness and density to a wine that is already structured and stylish. The dense texture promises long-term aging.