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In the heart of the Pomerol, only a few rows of vines away from the famous church tower, is situated Vieux Château Certan, the oldest cru of the appellation. Since this time it has continued to affirm itself as one of the rarest and most prestigious crus in the world.
A symbol of perfection; the exquisite finesse of its wines, the elegance of the chartreuse chateau surrounded by age-old trees, the order and quality of the vineyard, Vieux Château Certan inspires fascination on the part of great international connaisseurs and artists.
Occupying 14 hectares of land, the vineyard of Vieux Château Certan benefits from remarkable climatic conditions. Here, the quest for the perfect balance between clay soils, clay and gravel soils and the cepages; the density of the vines and the practice of a viticulture that respect the natural environment all combine to ensure exceptional grapes on each and every vine. The grape harvests are carried out by experienced pickers and entirely by hand Extremely detailed sorting is then carried out, both in the vineyard and before entry to the cellar, conserving only the very best grapes for vinification.
The sumptuous brilliance of its colour, the exceptional wealth of aromas and the depth and subtelty of its taste give the wine a style unique to the Pomerol appellation. Even in very hot years, vintages generally known for their strength, no wine maintains its distinction and elegance so well. The wine of connaisseurs; Vieux Château Certan requires several years in a cellar to reveal its immense complexity and singular body.
  
Facts & Figures
Area under vine
13.5 hectares
Production
50,000 to 60,000 bottles
Soil
Clay and gravel soils
Grape varieties
60% Merlot
30% Cabernet Franc
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing
18 and 22 months in 100% new French oak
Average age of the vines
35 years
  
Wines available
All wines sold by BDXV come direct from Bordeaux and have been stored at the Chateaux or in professional storage facilities since the time of bottling. BDXV’s wines have never ever been in the hands of private collectors. This gives you the customer the highest level of quality guarantee that the wines you buy have been stored in optimal conditions since the time they were bottled.
Chateau Vieux Chateau Certan 2005, EUR POA*
Score: 95 points. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.
Robert Parker: 95 points
April 2008: A stunning effort from Alexander Thienpont, the 2005 Vieux Chateau Certan (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) reveals an inky/blue/purple color along with a rich, sumptuous perfume of black olives, lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, pain grille, and oodles of truffles as well as creme de cassis. In the mouth, hints of chocolate and charcoal also make an appearance along with good acidity, fabulous purity, and a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. In keeping with the style of this terroir, the wine is reserved and restrained, but deep. It should develop magnificently, and age for 30-40 years.
April 2007: A remarkable blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has produced a Medoc-styled Pomerol exhibiting a deep ruby/purple hue, a sweet bouquet of roasted herbs, licorice, toasty vanilla, and plenty of black currants as well as truffles. It is a rich, classic effort with abundant tannin, good acidity, and impeccable purity and balance. Always a restrained, reserved style of wine, but it delivers considerable complexity, and ages brilliantly.
April 2006: Sweet scents of mulberries, black currants, and cherries intertwined with notes of herbs, licorice, and pain grille emerge from this lovely Pomerol. The wine comes across as reserved, but there is impressive extract, tannin, and glycerin in the long finish. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 is a structured, elegant, potentially complex and noble Vieux Chateau Certan.
Jancis Robinson: 19 points
Quite exceptionally energetic wine. Bright crimson – not one of the deepest colours – and wonderfully fresh, lively, racy wine that is beautifully balanced. Rich, broad yet not at all heavy – really rather like a racehorse at the peak of its form. Undoubtedly very ripe Merlot but Merlot with the greatest aspects of finesse. Already explosive. Lovely texture. Great lightness and life – complete. Alexandre Thienpont, who also did brilliantly in 2004, found his Cabernet Franc a bit austere in 2005 and has favoured Merlot in the blend for this magnificent grand vin.
Chateau Vieux Chateau Certan 2000, EUR POA*
Score: 95 points. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.
Robert Parker: 95 points
The dense ruby/purple-colored, tight 2000 gradually reveals notes of oak, tapenade, blackberries, spice box, licorice, and vanilla. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and powerful, with superb purity, low acidity, and high tannin, this backward, concentrated Vieux Chateau Certan falls just short of rivaling the sensational 1998.
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