2018 Vieux Château Certan

Vieux Château Certan is one of the oldest known chateaus in Pomerol. It was founded in the early 16th century when the Demay family arrived from Scotland to settle there. It appeared on the 1785 map of Belleyme under the name "Sertan". In Pomerol the place name Certan was taken from the estate. In 1858, Charles de Bousquet became the owner of Vieux Château Certan. The castle buildings we see today were built by him. In 1924, Georges Thienpont, a Flemish wine merchant, bought the property. This marked the beginning of the family's presence in the Bordeaux region.

Covering an area of 14 hectares (35 acres) planted in a single block, the Vieux Château Certan vineyard consists of 23 plots, each managed separately according to soil type, grape variety planted and age of the vines. The soils are subtly varied and include a very clayey part planted with mainly Merlot (70%), a gravelly-clay part planted with Cabernet Franc (25%) and a very gravelly part planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). Taking into account the total surface area, the average age of the vineyard is 50 years. These old vines, together with the beneficial effect of the microclimate of the Pomerol plateau, ensure that the different grape varieties reach perfect levels of ripeness. Vieux Château Certan is the result of a very special ecosystem in which the soil, the vines and the climate merge harmoniously to produce exceptional wine. The cellars of Vieux Château Certan optimally combine tradition with the technology and precision of today. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled oak barrels at 28°C to ensure a gentle, measured extraction. This process takes a little longer but gives a clearly more elegant result.

From winter to spring, the first half of 2018 was characterized by mild temperatures and very heavy rainfall. At the end of May, after optimal flowering, a wonderfully hot and dry summer began for a long period. Thanks to the water reserves built up in the spring, the vines were able to cope well with the severe water stress that followed in the summer. The old vines, whose vigor was favorably slowed by this drought, produced beautifully deep-colored, concentrated and balanced wines. The fully ripe Merlot brought all its strength into the wine and provided a stable base during blending. The Cabernet Franc, present in its entirety this year, enhanced the blend with its unctuous, velvety texture and excellent length of flavor.

This wine is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Vieux Château Certan 2018 shows a deep crimson hue of rare intensity, beautiful aromas of ripe fruit and violets. The amazing balance between freshness and ripeness ensures that all the qualities of a great, long-matured vintage come to the fore.

FACT : In the Tab: Appendix you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send it to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will immediately see the possible discount if you choose Pickup in the Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for address.