Vieux Château Certan

At the epicenter of Pomerol's legendary plateau, Vieux Château Certan commands 14 hectares of the appellation's most coveted terroir, where Alexandre Thienpont orchestrates one of Bordeaux's most nuanced expressions. This historic estate represents the pinnacle of Right Bank winemaking, transforming blue clay and gravel into wines of extraordinary depth and refinement.

Founded centuries ago, Vieux Château Certan has remained one of Pomerol's most consistent producers under the meticulous stewardship of the Thienpont family. Alexandre Thienpont brings generational wisdom to his role as winemaker, managing 23 distinct vineyard plots with individual precision. His philosophy centers on terroir expression through minimal intervention, allowing the estate's unique soil composition—70% blue clay favoring Merlot, 25% gravel-clay supporting Cabernet Franc, and 5% gravel nurturing Cabernet Sauvignon—to speak through each vintage. The average vine age of 50 years provides the deep root systems essential for concentrated, complex fruit.

The estate's flagship wine consistently ranks among Pomerol's elite, earning critical acclaim for its remarkable balance of power and elegance. Thienpont's winemaking approach emphasizes plot-by-plot vinification, with each of the 23 parcels harvested and fermented separately before masterful blending. The wines undergo extended aging in carefully selected French oak, creating investment-grade bottles that command premium positioning in global markets. Production remains deliberately limited, with allocation-only availability driving collector demand worldwide. Critics consistently award the estate's releases scores reflecting their ultra-premium status.

Vieux Château Certan maintains an exclusive visiting policy, welcoming guests strictly by appointment for intimate tastings in their historic cellars. The estate's understated elegance reflects Pomerol's tradition of discretion, offering private tours that reveal centuries of winemaking heritage. Visitors experience guided tastings of current releases alongside library wines, providing rare insight into the estate's evolution. The tasting room showcases the property's commitment to tradition while highlighting innovative techniques. Advanced booking is essential, with experiences tailored to serious collectors and wine professionals.

For connoisseurs seeking Pomerol's finest expression, Vieux Château Certan represents an essential acquisition. Contact The En Primeur Club to secure allocation access and arrange exclusive estate visits, where Bordeaux's most discerning tradition meets contemporary luxury.