Gravette De Certan 2018 (3.0L)

95 JS / 94 JD / 93 DE / 92 VM / 91+ WA

Currant, chocolate, wet-earth and cedar aromas follow through to a medium to full body with integrated, refined tannins that build on the palate and follow through in a polished way. Give it three or four years to open, as it seems rather tight. Almost all merlot with some cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2025. - James Suckling

The second wine of this beautiful estate certainly doesn't taste like a second wine, and the 2018 La Gravette De Certan put a smile on my face. Based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 50% new barrels, it has the same supple, seamless, sexy style of the Grand Vin, only with the volume turned down slightly. Redcurrants, truffle, tobacco, hints of chocolate, and damp earth all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful core of sweet fruit, silky tannins, and a great finish. It can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

From young vines under 20 years old, accounting for around one-third of overall production. Just beautifully mouthwatering, with rosebud notes alongside ripe berry fruits, and slight hints of smoked cigar box on the finish. This is a lovely Gravette, and when you go back to retaste after the first wine it still holds its own, just in a less muscular and complex style. 30% new oak. - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2018 La Gravette de Certan is a gorgeous second wine. Pliant, creamy and so expressive, La Gravette is everything a second wine should be. Juicy dark cherry fruit, spice, licorice, new leather and lavender fill out the layers effortlessly. No, the 2018 is not quite the 2016, but it's close. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2018 La Gravette de Certan charges out of the gate with expressive notions of spiced blackberries, Black Forest cake and stewed plums, plus hints of cinnamon toast, dusty earth and iron ore, with a touch of potpourri. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with juicy black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. - LPB, Wine Advocate

Wow. I was very fortunate to be visiting Vieux Chateau Certan this morning and had the privilege to taste first Gravette De Certan 2018 (on the day of its release), second Vieux Chateau Certan 2019 barrel sample, and finally Vieux Chateau Certan 2018 sample bottled just two week prior. I will leave you to peruse the tasting notes from the various wine journalists for VCC, but the Gravette De Certan 2018 should not be considered a second wine because stand alone it is tremendous at a fifth of the price of the Grand Vin, VCC 2018.

The color is very dark ruby with an expressive nose of cassis and chocolate. On the palate it is very fruit forward and very rich with sufficient ripe sweet tannins to excite all the senses. Long finish. This is a serious wine to be cellared for quite some time. 95 Points - Andy Lench, President & CEO of Bordeaux Wine Locators, July 2nd, 2020