2023 Vieux Château Certan

EN PRIMEUR DISCOUNT VALID UNTIL 31/12/2025 - DELIVERY SPRING 2026

Vieux Château Certan 2023

Overview

Vieux Château Certan, one of the oldest and most respected châteaux in Pomerol, has once again produced an exceptional wine in 2023. The blend consists of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc and has an alcohol percentage of 14% and a pH value of 3.74. The wine was judged by William Kelley with a score of 94-96 points.

Tasting notes

The 2023 Vieux Château Certan opens with exuberant aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, violets, burning charcoal, iris, crushed mint and black tea. This medium to full-bodied wine is velvety soft and sensual, with a rich attack that transitions into a layered, enveloping mid-palate. The wine has a polished and perfumed finish, with a sweet fruit core and a long, subtly oak-influenced finish.

Climate and Harvest

The 2023 vintage was characterized by moderate weather conditions until harvest. Flowering went smoothly and véraison (discoloration of the grapes) took place in mid-July, without extreme heat or water stress. Summer temperatures rose at the end of August, which ensured optimal ripening of the grapes. The harvest took place from September 18 to 29.

Vineyard Management and Vinification

The terroir of Vieux Château Certan is located in a unique location with soils ranging from clay to gravel. The vineyards cover 14 hectares and are divided into 23 plots, each managed separately according to soil type and grape variety. The average age of the vines is 50 years, which contributes to the complexity and depth of the wines.

The vinification at Vieux Château Certan combines traditional methods with modern techniques. The grapes are carefully selected and undergo a gentle extraction at a controlled temperature of 28°C. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks, followed by maturation in barrels, two-thirds of which are new oak.

History

Vieux Château Certan was founded at the beginning of the 16th century by the Demay family from Scotland and appeared on the map of Belleyme in 1785 under the name "Sertan". In 1858 it became the property of Charles de Bousquet, who had the current castle buildings built. In 1924, the Flemish wine merchant Georges Thienpont purchased the property, marking the beginning of the Thienpont family's presence in the Bordeaux region.

Today, Vieux Château Certan is managed by Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont, who continue the tradition and craftsmanship, resulting in wines of exceptional quality and elegance. The chateau is a true embodiment of the rich history and unique terroir of Pomerol.

Conclusion

The 2023 Vieux Château Certan is a stunning wine that combines exotic aromas, deep layers of fruit and sublime textures. The result is a wine of great refinement and strength, with excellent aging potential. This wine is a perfect reflection of the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Vieux Château Certan, and will be admired for many years to come.