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Deal of the week
As the Bordeaux 2011 en primeur campaign limps on, some excitement was finally sparked among merchants this week with the release of Vieux Château Certan at €96 per bottle.
Not only does this represent an almost 50% drop from last year’s €180 price tag, but the Pomerol estate has been widely flagged up as one of the stand out successes of the variable 2011 vintage.
Observing that “Cabernet Franc is back with a bang in 2011”, thanks to its ability to cope with the vintage’s dry conditions, Vieux Château Certan’s owner Alexandre Thienpont gave the variety a starring role for the first time in several years, making up 29% of the final blend.
The result received a consistently favourable reaction from those tasting in Bordeaux this spring. Robert Parker awarded the wine 94-96 points, in close alignment with Jancis Robinson MW, who gave it 18/20.
Meanwhile, Adam Bilbey, direct sales manager for Berry Brothers & Rudd Hong Kong, commented: “I am not sure that there is a better wine in 2011.”