Vieux chateau 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 who 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 always retained 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 a key 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 vintages follow with 99/100. The 2015, 1948 and 2017 vintages also score 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 plots, each managed independently to respect the nature of the soils and the grape varieties planted there.

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

The average age of the vines is 50 years, with some 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.

Vinification at Vieux Château Certan

Vinification 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 practises sustainable viticulture, respectful of the environment, without excessive use of chemicals. The harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes to keep only the best bunches. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled oak vats, a method that allows for gentle extraction of tannins and perfect temperature control.

Alexandre Thienpont perfectly sums up his approach by stating: "I want the wine to accomplish itself, without exogenous intervention." This philosophy reflects a desire to let the wine tell its own story, respecting the natural vinification process as much as possible. Ageing then takes place in French oak barrels, with a proportion of 50% new barrels, for a duration 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, made primarily from the oldest vines in the vineyard. This great wine, mainly composed of Merlot, is complemented by a proportion of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, which give it remarkable structure and freshness.

When tasted, Vieux Château Certan offers a deep and brilliant colour. The nose is a festival of aromas, mixing notes of black fruits (plum, blackberry), flowers, chocolate and spices. On the palate, we find a velvety and silky texture, with elegant tannins and well-integrated acidity, offering perfect balance. This wine has exceptional ageing 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 sibling, La Gravette de Certan remains a wine of great finesse, ideal for enjoying in its early years while still being able to evolve in the cellar for about ten years.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most notable 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 fine wine enthusiasts. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to offer wines of exceptional quality, thus cementing the appellation's reputation amongst Bordeaux's finest.

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 great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, which will delight connoisseurs of fine 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 rigour and passion that preside over each stage of production guarantee wines of rare elegance, capable of defying time and delighting the most discerning connoisseurs. Whether you choose the grand vin 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.