Vieux Château Certan

The history of Vieux Château Certan

The history of Vieux Château Certan begins in the early 16th century, when the Demay family, originally from Scotland, settled in Pomerol. This same family developed the estate, then called “Sertan,” as shown on the famous 1785 Belleyme map. The estate evolved over the centuries while retaining its traditional character and deep roots in the Pomerol terroir.

In 1858, Charles de Bousquet, the new owner, renovated the château and gave it its present appearance. But the modern history of Vieux Château Certan truly began in 1924, when Georges Thienpont, a Flemish wine merchant, acquired the estate. Under the Thienpont family’s management, the estate gained renown and became a leading name in the Bordeaux region. Today, Alexandre Thienpont, alongside his son Guillaume, continues this family tradition, maintaining the exceptional consistency of this remarkable wine.

The 2010, 2019 and 2016 vintages of Vieux Château Certan received scores of 100/100 from Robert Parker, while 2009 and 1945 follow at 99/100. The 2015, 1948 and 2017 vintages also earned an impressive 98/100.

Terroirs and vines of Vieux Château Certan

Vieux Château Certan enjoys a unique terroir on the prestigious Pomerol plateau, a short distance from renowned estates such as Pétrus and L’Évangile. Spanning 14 contiguous hectares, the vineyard is divided into 23 plots, each managed independently to respect its soils and grape varieties.

The estate’s soils are remarkably diverse. Predominantly clay-rich plots, planted mainly with Merlot (70%), yield rich, opulent wines. Clay-and-gravel areas are home to Cabernet Franc (25%), a grape that gives the wines structure and freshness. Finally, the most gravelly plots are devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), contributing more tannic notes and greater aging potential. 

The vines average 50 years of age, with some Merlot plots dating back to 1932, making them among the oldest in the Pomerol appellation. This vine maturity, combined with the plateau’s distinctive microclimate, allows the grapes to reach optimal ripeness, yielding wines of great complexity.

Winemaking at Vieux Château Certan

Winemaking at Vieux Château Certan combines tradition and modernity. Under the attentive direction of Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont, every stage of production is carefully managed to bring out the best in the terroir and grape varieties.

The estate practices environmentally conscious viticulture without excessive use of chemicals. Grapes are harvested by hand and rigorously sorted to retain only the best bunches. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled oak vats, allowing gentle tannin extraction and precise temperature management.

Alexandre Thienpont sums up his approach perfectly: “I want the wine to develop on its own, without outside intervention.” This philosophy reflects a desire to let the wine tell its own story while respecting the natural winemaking process as much as possible. It is then aged in French oak barrels, 50% of them new, for up to 20 months, depending on the vintage.

The cuvées of Vieux Château Certan

The estate offers two principal cuvées, Vieux Château Certan and La Gravette de Certan, each with its own personality and style.

Vieux Château Certan

It is the estate’s flagship cuvée, made primarily from the vineyard’s oldest vines. Composed mainly of Merlot, this fine wine is complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, which give it remarkable structure and freshness. 

In the glass, Vieux Château Certan has a deep, vibrant color. The nose offers a wealth of aromas, combining dark fruit (plum and blackberry), flowers, chocolate and spices. On the palate, it has a velvety, silky texture, elegant tannins and well-integrated acidity, creating perfect balance. This wine has exceptional aging potential and improves after 10 to 15 years in the cellar.

La Gravette de Certan

La Gravette de Certan is the estate’s second wine, but make no mistake: it is a wine of great precision that faithfully reflects the vineyard’s distinctive character. Made from young vines planted between 1998 and 2010, it stands out for its freshness and approachability in its early years.

Its bouquet is dominated by notes of plum, cherry and gentian, with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. Although more affordable than its older sibling, La Gravette de Certan remains a wine of great finesse, ideal for enjoying in its early years but also capable of developing in the cellar for around a decade.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. Its most notable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989 and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other outstanding years, such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010, continue to delight lovers of fine wine. More recently, the 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages have confirmed Pomerol’s ability to produce wines of exceptional quality, cementing its reputation as one of Bordeaux’s greatest appellations.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate strives for excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L’Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy and Vieux Château Certan. Often compared with the classified growths of Saint-Émilion, these estates offer a distinctive experience rich in finesse and character that will delight lovers of fine wine. 

Vieux Château Certan embodies the essence of Pomerol, an exceptional terroir elevated by the Thienpont family’s expertise for nearly 100 years. The rigor and passion brought to every stage of production ensure wines of rare elegance that can stand the test of time and delight the most discerning enthusiasts. Whether you choose the fine wine Vieux Château Certan or its second wine, La Gravette de Certan, you will discover wines of great complexity and unmistakable style that carry the history of this iconic estate.