Vieux Château Certan is one of the very greatest estates of Pomerol and the near neighbour of Pétrus, yet it makes a wine unlike almost anything else on the right bank because of how much Cabernet Franc goes into it.
Tasting Notes
An opulent bouquet of dark fruit, violets and a hint of truffle, leading to a velvety and sophisticated palate. Where most of Pomerol is built on Merlot alone, the substantial proportion of Cabernet Franc here adds perfume, lift and a firmer structure, which is why the wine tastes more aromatic and ages differently to its neighbours. Gravel over clay soils on the Pomerol plateau. This is a wine that repays patience and rewards a long decant.
Quick Facts
- Grapes: Merlot with a substantial proportion of Cabernet Franc, and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon
- Origin: France, Bordeaux, Pomerol
- Style: Dry red, full bodied, aromatic, very long lived
- Estate: One of the oldest and most respected properties in Pomerol, on the plateau close to Pétrus, owned by the Thienpont family since 1924
Food Pairing
Roast beef, lamb, game, truffle dishes, and aged hard cheeses.
Serving
Serve at 17 to 18°C. Decant at least an hour before pouring. Will keep and improve for twenty to thirty years.
About the Producer
Vieux Château Certan is among the oldest estates in Pomerol, its name recorded on the plateau centuries before the appellation existed. It has been in the hands of the Belgian Thienpont family since 1924 and sits directly alongside Pétrus, on the same band of clay and gravel. It is distinguished within Pomerol by the unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc in its vineyard, which gives the wine its characteristic perfume and structure.
