Château Vieux Château Certan 2006 is a red wine from Pomerol in Bordeaux, produced by Vieux Château Certan, a property belonging to the Thienpont family. Its blend brings together 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Wine Advocate awards it 96/100 with a drinking window from 2018 to 2045; Jancis Robinson rates it 18.5++/20, to be drunk between 2022 and 2048. James Suckling gives it 96/100 and recommends waiting until 2026. Critics describe a structured and harmonious wine with velvety tannins, driven by a fresh acidity and a long finish.
Vieux Château Certan is a Pomerol estate situated on the appellation’s plateau in Gironde. Owned by the Thienpont family since 1924, it cultivates 14 hectares of vines in a single block, divided into 23 plots. The vineyard consists mainly of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on clay and gravel soils.
Owner
Famille Thienpont
Maître de chais
Guillaume Thienpont
Surface (ha)
14.00 ha
Production (average bottles per vintage)
600 hl/an
Histoire du domaine
The origin of the name Certan dates back to ancient times, whilst the history of the wine estate is linked to the de May family, of Scottish origin, who are said to have founded it in the 16th century. The estate adopted the name Vieux Château Certan in 1745, a date also recognised by the appellation’s governing body as the year the vineyard was established. In 1858, Charles de Bousquet became the owner and had the château renovated; its general appearance has been preserved. Georges Thienpont and his wife Joséphine acquired the property in the spring of 1924. On the death of Georges Thienpont in 1962, his son Léon took over the running of the estate. A significant portion of the vineyard was replanted following the frost of 1956, and a new winery was built in 1972. Alexandre Thienpont succeeded his father Léon in 1985. He subsequently worked alongside his son Guillaume, who has been involved in the technical management of the estate since 2011. Winemaking is now overseen by Guillaume Thienpont, at an estate that remains family-owned.
Critiques professionnelles
Notes & cotations
The Wine Advocate96/100+
Reviewed by
Neal Martin
Published
Drink Date
2018-2045
Tasted blind at Farr Vintners' horizontal, the 2006 Vieux Château Certan remains an outstanding proposition. It has an airy red cherry and raspberry bouquet, a hint of bergamot tea in the background, succinctly defined, even if the fruit needs some encouragement from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. The acidity is well judged, harmonious in the mouth, quite smooth with hints of truffle oil and white pepper towards the composed, quite sensual finish. Give this a couple of more years in bottle and then it should drink well for at least a couple of decades. Tasted April 2016.
Youthful nose, where typical eucalyptus leaf is allied to licorice root, blond pipe tobacco, cedar wood and balsamic complexity. Dense, full-bodied palate with elegant, velvety tannins that are soaked in almost salty flavors. Refreshing acidity and an amazingly long, broad and balanced finish with plenty of structure. Such a great, classy wine and impressively close to the 2005. Best from 2026.
70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Two storms and the vineyard as a result became a swimming pool in the middle of harvest. High risk of rot, which affected a third of the crop but Alexandre Thienpont is thrilled with the quality of the rest, having taken the risk of waiting a few days for the grapes to dry out. Harvest began 12 September. Very deep crimson; even bluer and deeper than the 2005. Richer, tighter than the 2005. Really powerful and still with enormous unresolved tannin but no worries about the fruit outlasting it. Still quite youthful. A certain refreshing inkiness. Real backbone here! Very VCC!
