VIEUX CHATEAU CERTAN
Vieux Château Certan is one of the most prestigious and historic estates of Pomerol, producing exceptionally refined, complex and long-lived wines from a privileged position on Bordeaux's Right Bank. Often abbreviated as VCC, the estate is celebrated for its distinctive combination of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, creating wines that unite Pomerol's richness with remarkable perfume, freshness and elegance.
The estate's history stretches back to the 18th century, making Vieux Château Certan one of the longstanding names of Pomerol. Since 1924, the property has been owned by the Thienpont family, whose meticulous stewardship has maintained its reputation among Bordeaux's elite estates. Today, Alexandre Thienpont and the family continue to oversee the property with an emphasis on precision and faithful expression of its exceptional terroir.
Vieux Château Certan occupies approximately 14 hectares on the celebrated Pomerol plateau, surrounded by some of the appellation's most famous vineyards. Its terroir comprises a complex mosaic of clay, gravel and sandy soils, with individual parcels particularly suited to different grape varieties. This diversity plays an important role in the complexity and balance of the finished wine.
Merlot generally forms the foundation of Vieux Château Certan, but the estate is particularly notable for its significant proportion of Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Sauvignon also present. Merlot contributes richness, depth and silky fruit, while Cabernet Franc brings floral perfume, freshness, spice and finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon can provide additional structure and longevity.
The wines typically reveal layers of black cherry, blackberry, plum and raspberry, accompanied by violet, rose, graphite, truffle, tobacco and subtle spice. The palate is renowned for its silky texture, beautifully integrated tannins and exceptional balance. Rather than relying on sheer concentration, Vieux Château Certan is distinguished by precision, aromatic complexity and effortless refinement.
Each vineyard parcel is managed and harvested according to its individual characteristics, with the final blend varying significantly according to vintage conditions. This flexibility allows the Thienpont family to highlight whichever varieties perform best in a particular year while maintaining the unmistakable personality of Vieux Château Certan.
Winemaking is conducted with a restrained and meticulous approach, followed by maturation in carefully selected French oak barrels. The objective is to enhance texture and complexity without obscuring the purity of the fruit or the distinctive character of the Pomerol terroir.
Great vintages of Vieux Château Certan possess extraordinary ageing potential. Over several decades, the wine can develop complex tertiary aromas of truffle, cigar box, dried flowers, leather and forest floor while retaining freshness and aromatic detail. Its limited production, exceptional terroir and consistently high quality make VCC one of the most coveted wines among collectors of fine Bordeaux.
Shop Vieux Château Certan wines online at Wine More Cellars Australia. Discover prestigious Pomerol, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and collectible Right Bank Bordeaux with Australia-wide shipping.
