THE PRODUCER
Squeezed between Petrus and the tiny Le Pin, VCC demands attention for position
alone. The 14-hectare vineyard – comprised of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and
an unusual 5% Cabernet Sauvignon – is meticulously cared for and the Grand Vin
matures for between 18-22 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

Owned by the Belgian merchant Georges Thienpont and his family since 1924, VCC
has been well-tended for several generations. Alexandre Thienpont renovated the
winemaking facilities and cellars in 1988, also introducing lower yields and
starting to pick the fruit slightly riper – moves which further improved the
quality of the estate’s wines.

Today current generation Guillaume Thienpont is in charge. The wine varies its
profile in differing vintages with the Cabernet Franc occasionally showing its
presence more. Whichever prevails, VCC is a classic, long-lived Pomerol of
intensity and finesse.

THE WINE

Grape material for the Grand Vin is sourced from some of the oldest vines in
Pomerol, ranging in age from 20 to 80 years old, at one of the higher points of
the plateau. The blend varies with vintage conditions but usually comprises
around 75% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fermentation takes place in a combination of large oak vats and stainless steel
tanks and is followed by ageing for about 20 months in 50% new French oak
barrels.

The wine varies its profile in differing vintages with the Cabernet Franc
occasionally showing its presence more. Whichever prevails, VCC is a classic,
long-lived Pomerol of intensity, concentration, and finesse.

INFORMATION
Type:RedVintage:1998Country:FranceRegion:Bordeaux Right BankSub region:Pomerol
Grape:85% Merlot,10% Cabernet Sauvignon & 5% Cabernet FrancStyle:Savory &
ClassicSweetness:DryABV:14.5%Drinking window:2006 - 2035Size:750mlFood match:
Beef & Venison

CRITICS SCORES
We choose our wines based on a range of criteria(seehow we choose our wines)of
which critic scores is justone. Rather than simply highlight the best score to
promote a wine, our average critic score is calculated from the scores provided
by several respected wine critics, who we follow for specific regions. They do
not represent all critic scores and, wherever possible, we try and give more
weight to more recent reviews. Where appropriate we consider market-based scores
like Global Wine Score or Wine Searcher Average scores.

As a rule, we look to offer wines that achieve a92/100average critic score or
better and frankly a lot of very good wines simply don’t make the cut. As a
high-end provider we want to reflect that positioning in the quality of wines we
offer. Such wines are only a tiny fraction of those generally on offer in the
market. We believe that an average score is a more conservative and
representative approach, but it is still subjective and only offered as a guide
to our customers, who will (and should) do their own research. We will add
individual critic scores to our website in the future.