La Gravette de Certan 2023

Amazingly profound for a second wine: dark berries, herbs, a cool fireplace note, and a hint of cream; on the palate it’s creamy and soft on entry, with not overly pronounced tannins, great acidity, and a long, fruity finish with a salty touch. A perfect wine to drink while waiting for the Grand Vin.

The 2023 La Gravette de Certan is pure Merlot from younger vines. This has a powerful bouquet, surprisingly opulent in style with precocious red and blue fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins that lend this a velvety texture. Layered black fruit laced with espresso, a dash of spiciness on the finish.

Dark fragrant berries, a touch of perfume to this with some herbal accents. Smooth and clean, this is engaging from the first sip. Pretty yet powerful too, you get the mouth-filling density straight away – a delicious plushness. Different to the more focused and straight versions around, this has punch but still with a delicacy of tannins. Juicy, charming, playful, filling in the best way for a ‘second’ easy-accessible wine. This is just great.

The second wine of this benchmark Pomerol estate, the 2023 La Gravette De Certan is selected from the property’s younger vines and was aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. Classic Pomerol notes of black cherry, chocolaty herbs, graphite, and spicy tobacco all shine through. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a ripe, rounded mouthfeel, ripe tannins, ample mid-palate depth, and sweet tannins. This charming, delicious, sexy second wine will drink beautifully for 15 years or more. Roughly 1,667 cases were produced. Drink 2026–2040.

The interplay of black- and red-berry nuances highlights freshness, complexity and detail. Generous on the attack, the wine shows substance, breadth and charm. Supported by fleshy tannins and a structuring freshness, it is imposing while staying true to freshness and subtlety. Youthful, expressive and inviting, it also asserts its ability to deliver power, even if it does not (yet) quite have the framework to fully do so. Note that this wine comes from VCC’s young vines—its potential and ambitions are easy to understand!