Vieux Château Certan

Vineyards are planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. These varieties are blended to produce the estate’s grand vin, Vieux Château Certan, while a second wine, La Gravette de Certan, ensures rigorous selection from vineyard to cellar.

Vieux Château Certan captivates wine enthusiasts with its blend of history, rarity, and superior quality.

• Limited production — Typically around 5,000 cases of the grand vin in smaller years, and sometimes up to 6,000+ when yields are higher, Vieux Château Certan wines are both exclusive and highly coveted.
• Acclaimed vintages — Iconic years like 1947 and 2009 exemplify its reputation for excellence, with critics often ranking it among Bordeaux's finest.
• Distinctive terroir — The vineyards yield a terroir-driven expression, emphasizing balance and structure.
• Family-owned charm — The Thienpont family continues a tradition of authenticity and quality, enhancing Vieux Château Certan's appeal.
• Elegant complexity — Vieux Château Certan wines offer a harmonious mix of ripe fruit, floral, and spice notes, capable of aging beautifully over time.

• Where is Vieux Château Certan located?

  The estate is situated in the Pomerol region on Bordeaux's Right Bank, on a clay-gravel plateau near Pétrus and Certan de May. The vineyard covers 14 hectares.

• When was the estate founded and by whom?

  Vieux Château Certan dates to the mid-1700s under the Demay family, making it one of Pomerol’s oldest estates.

• Who owns and manages Vieux Château Certan today?

  The Thienpont family has stewarded the estate since 1924. Alexandre Thienpont has managed since the 1980s, with his son Guillaume increasingly involved.

• What grape varieties are planted, and what is the typical blend?

  The vineyards are planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. The grand vin is typically about two-thirds Merlot, with the remainder mostly Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon.

• What wines does the estate produce?

  The grand vin is Vieux Château Certan. The second wine, La Gravette de Certan, is made from lots not selected for the grand vin.

• How is the second wine different from the grand vin?

  La Gravette de Certan supports strict selection in the vineyard and cellar and is generally approachable earlier than the grand vin.

• What is the style of Vieux Château Certan’s wines?

  They are terroir-driven wines from clay and gravel soils, known for balance, structure, elegance, and the ability to develop complexity with age.

• How long does Vieux Château Certan typically age?

  Strong vintages can age gracefully for decades, with the finest reaching peak complexity 20–30 years after harvest.