Vieux Château Certan

History of Vieux Château Certan

The history of Vieux Château Certan begins at the start of the 16th century when the Demay family, originally from Scotland, settled in Pomerol. It was this same family that initiated the development of the estate, then called "Sertan" as mentioned on the famous Belleyme map of 1785. The estate evolved over the centuries, but it has always maintained its traditional essence and its roots in the Pomerol terroir.

In 1858, Charles de Bousquet, the new owner, renovated the château and gave it its current appearance. But it was in 1924, when Georges Thienpont, a Flemish wine merchant, acquired the estate, that the modern history of Vieux Château Certan truly began. Under the management of the Thienpont family, the estate gained renown and became an essential player in the Bordeaux region. Today, Alexandre Thienpont, alongside his son Guillaume, continues to perpetuate this family tradition, ensuring the exceptional consistency of this outstanding cru.

The 2010, 2019 and 2016 vintages of Vieux Château Certan are rated 100/100 by Robert Parker, while the 2009 and 1945 years follow with 99/100. The 2015, 1948 and 2017 vintages also achieve an impressive 98/100.

Terroirs and Vines of Vieux Château Certan

Vieux Château Certan benefits from a unique terroir, located on the prestigious Pomerol plateau, a stone's throw from famous estates such as Pétrus and L'Évangile. Spanning 14 hectares in a single block, the vineyard is divided into 23 parcels, each managed independently to respect the nature of the soils and the grape varieties planted there.

The estate's soil is a true treasure of diversity. There are parcels with predominantly clay soils, mainly planted with Merlot (70%), offering rich and opulent wines. The clay-gravel zones house Cabernet Franc (25%), a grape variety that gives the wines structure and freshness. Finally, the very gravelly parcels are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), bringing more tannic notes and increased aging capacity. 

The average age of the vines is 50 years, with some Merlot parcels dating from 1932, making it one of the oldest in the Pomerol appellation. This maturity of the vines, combined with the specific microclimate of the plateau, allows optimal ripeness of the grapes to be achieved, thus guaranteeing the production of 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, each stage of production is meticulously orchestrated to best express the quality of the terroir and grape varieties.

The estate practices sustainable viticulture, respectful of the environment, without excessive use of chemical products. Harvesting is done by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes to retain only the best bunches. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled oak vats, a method that allows gentle extraction of tannins and perfect temperature control.

Alexandre Thienpont perfectly summarizes his approach by stating: "I want the wine to fulfill itself, without exogenous intervention." This philosophy reflects a desire to let the wine tell its own story, respecting the natural winemaking process as much as possible. Aging then takes place in French oak barrels, with a proportion of 50% new barrels, for a period of up to 20 months, depending on the vintage.

The Cuvées of Vieux Château Certan

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

Vieux Château Certan

This is the estate's flagship cuvée, crafted primarily from the oldest vines in the vineyard. This great wine, composed mainly of Merlot, is complemented by a proportion of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon which give it remarkable structure and freshness. 

Upon tasting, Vieux Château Certan offers a deep and radiant color. The nose is a festival of aromas, blending notes of black fruits (plum, blackberry), flowers, chocolate and spices. On the palate, one finds a velvety and silky texture, with elegant tannins and well-integrated acidity, offering perfect balance. This wine has exceptional aging potential, improving 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 unique character of the vineyard. Made from young vines planted between 1998 and 2010, this wine is distinguished by its freshness and accessibility in its early years.

Its bouquet is dominated by notes of plum, cherry and gentian, with a fine tannic structure and invigorating acidity. Although more approachable than its elder, La Gravette de Certan remains nonetheless a wine of great finesse, ideal to be enjoyed from its early years while being able to evolve in the cellar for about ten years.

Pomerol, one of the most prestigious appellations in Bordeaux, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most remarkable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, recognized for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight lovers of great wines. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to produce wines of exceptional quality, thus consolidating the reputation of this appellation among the greatest of Bordeaux.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate rivals in 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, or even Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the grands crus classés of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, that will delight lovers of great wines.

Vieux Château Certan embodies the quintessence of Pomerol, an exceptional terroir, sublimated by the expertise of the Thienpont family for nearly 100 years. The rigor and passion that govern each stage of production guarantee wines of rare elegance, capable of defying time and delighting the most discerning enthusiasts. Whether you choose the great wine Vieux Château Certan or its second wine La Gravette de Certan, you will discover wines of great complexity, with an inimitable style, and bearers of the history of this emblematic estate.