2019 Vieux Château Certan Magnum

The 2019 Vieux Château Certan Magnum is a majestic expression of Pomerol, capturing one of Bordeaux’s greatest vintages in an ideal large-format bottle. Long regarded as one of the appellation’s benchmark estates, Vieux Château Certan marries old-vine concentration with a modern precision that emphasizes finesse over power. Bottled in 1.5L magnum, this release offers both heightened cellar potential and a particularly luxurious drinking experience for special occasions.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Vieux Château Certan shows a deep, vibrant garnet-purple hue, with striking density at the core and a brilliant rim. The nose is immediately captivating: layers of cassis and ripe black cherry glide out of the glass, interwoven with notes of violets, forest floor, sweet baking spices, fine cigar smoke and a hint of incense and truffle. On the palate, this is full-bodied yet supremely refined, with a silken, seamless texture that cloaks its power in elegance. A core of vivid, juicy black and red fruits is framed by lively acidity and beautifully ripe, powder-fine tannins. Subtle touches of cocoa, graphite and warm earth emerge with air, leading to an exceptionally long, fragrant finish. In magnum, the 2019 has outstanding aging potential: it will drink beautifully from around 2026 but should continue to evolve gracefully for 25+ years, gaining further complexity and tertiary nuances over time.

Production
Vieux Château Certan’s 14-hectare vineyard lies in a single block on the prime plateau of Pomerol, a site long prized for its unique mosaic of clay and gravel soils. The estate is divided into 23 individual parcels, each farmed and managed separately according to soil type, grape variety and vine age. Deep, clay-rich sectors are predominantly planted to Merlot (around 70%), while gravelly-clay parcels carry Cabernet Franc (about 25%) and the very gravelly sections are devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon (around 5%). With an average vine age of roughly 50 years, these old vines, combined with the beneficial microclimate of the Pomerol plateau, allow for slow, even ripening and impeccable fruit maturity. In the cellar, tradition and precision go hand in hand: fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled oak vats at around 28°C to ensure a gentle, measured extraction. This slightly longer, more patient vinification emphasizes aromatic purity, textural finesse and elegance over brute force, culminating in a wine of remarkable balance and depth.

Food & Serving
This 2019 Vieux Château Certan Magnum is a superb partner for refined, flavourful dishes such as roasted lamb with herbs, dry-aged ribeye, venison or other game, and richly sauced dishes based on mushrooms or truffle. It also pairs beautifully with classic French cuisine—think duck breast, veal sweetbreads, or a simple roast chicken elevated with jus and wild mushrooms—as well as aged hard cheeses like Comté or mature Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. In magnum format, decanting is recommended: younger bottles will benefit from 2–3 hours of air, while more mature examples may need around 60–90 minutes to fully open and reveal their layered bouquet.

Producer
Vieux Château Certan is one of Pomerol’s oldest and most storied estates, with origins dating back to the early 16th century, when the Demay family settled there after arriving from Scotland. The property was already recognized on the famous Belleyme map of 1785 under the name “Sertan,” and its current château buildings were erected in 1858 by then-owner Charles de Bousquet. A pivotal moment came in 1924, when Flemish wine merchant Georges Thienpont acquired the estate, marking the beginning of the Thienpont family’s enduring influence in Bordeaux. Today, Vieux Château Certan is widely considered one of the appellation’s elite properties, celebrated for its precision, elegance and consistency. Under the guidance of Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont, the château has crafted some of Pomerol’s most sought-after wines, frequently earning critical acclaim and standing shoulder to shoulder with the very greatest names of the Right Bank.

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