Vieux Château Certan

Vieux Château Certan is one of the oldest estates in the Pomerol appellation, with historical roots extending to the mid eighteenth century when it was founded by Jean Demay de Certan. The property appeared on the 1745 Bellayme map under the name Sertan, and the manor house was constructed around 1770. In 1858, the estate was acquired by Charles de Bousquet, who built the current chateau buildings. The property underwent a significant transition in 1924 when Georges Thienpont, a wine merchant from Belgium, purchased the estate. The Thienpont family has retained ownership for over a century, with current management led by Alexandre Thienpont and his son Guillaume.

The vineyard comprises 14 hectares in a single block located on the central plateau of Pomerol, situated near estates such as Pétrus and Lafleur. The terroir consists of diverse soil types, including deep clay and gravel with a subsoil rich in iron oxide, locally known as crasse de fer. The vineyard is divided into 23 distinct plots and is planted with 65 percent Merlot, 30 percent Cabernet Franc, and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. This high proportion of Cabernet Franc is a distinguishing feature in an appellation typically dominated by Merlot. Winemaking is conducted in temperature controlled oak vats and stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in French oak barrels for 18 to 22 months.

The estate is best known for its grand vin, Vieux Château Certan, which is recognized for its longevity and a style that emphasizes aromatic complexity and balance. While Pomerol does not use an official classification system, the property is categorized alongside the top growths of the Right Bank. In 1986, the family introduced a second wine, La Gravette de Certan, produced primarily from younger vines on the property. The wines are noted for their ability to reflect the varied geology of the plateau, and they frequently receive high ratings for their consistency across different vintages.