Vieux Château Certan

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. It was this same family that was behind the development of the estate, then called "Sertan" as mentioned on the famous Belleyme map in 1785. The estate evolved over the centuries, but always retained its traditional essence and its roots in the terroir of Pomerol.

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 stewardship of the Thienpont family, the estate grew in renown and became an essential player in the Bordeaux region. Today, Alexandre Thienpont, alongside his son Guillaume, continues to uphold 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 vintages 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 plateau of Pomerol, a stone's throw from such celebrated estates as Pétrus and L'Évangile. Spanning 14 hectares in a single block, the vineyard is divided into 23 plots, 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 clay-dominant plots, planted primarily with Merlot (70%), yielding rich and opulent wines. The clay-gravel zones are home to Cabernet Franc (25%), a variety that imparts structure and freshness to the wines. Finally, the heavily gravelly plots are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), contributing more tannic notes and an enhanced aging capacity. 

The average age of the vines is 50 years, with certain Merlot plots dating back to 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 for optimal ripeness of the grapes, thus ensuring the production of wines of great complexity.

Winemaking at Vieux Château Certan

Winemaking at Vieux Château Certan combines tradition and modernity. Under the careful direction of Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont, every stage of production is meticulously orchestrated to best express the quality of the terroir and the grape varieties.

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

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

The Cuvées of Vieux Château Certan

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

Vieux Château Certan

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

On tasting, Vieux Château Certan reveals a deep and brilliant color. The nose is a festival of aromas, blending notes of dark 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 a perfect balance. This wine has an exceptional aging potential, improving after 10 to 15 years in the cellar.

La Gravette de Certan

La Gravette de Certan is the second wine of the estate, but do not be mistaken: it is a wine of great precision, faithfully reflecting the unique character of the vineyard. Sourced from young vines planted between 1998 and 2010, this wine stands out for its freshness and accessibility in its early years.

Its bouquet is dominated by notes of plum, cherry and gentian, with a fine tannic framework and an invigorating acidity. Although more accessible than its elder, La Gravette de Certan is nonetheless a wine of great finesse, ideal for enjoying from its earliest years while also being able to evolve in the cellar for around 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, renowned 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, further 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 vies 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, or indeed Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the grands crus classés of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, sure to delight lovers of Fine Wine.

Vieux Château Certan embodies the quintessence of Pomerol, an exceptional terroir, elevated by the expertise of the Thienpont family for nearly 100 years. The rigor and passion that preside over every stage of production guarantee wines of rare elegance, capable of defying time and delighting 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, with an inimitable style, and bearing the history of this emblematic estate.