Vieux Château Certan 2017

Vieux Château Certan 2017 is a benchmark Pomerol that combines classical Bordeaux elegance with generous, seductive fruit. Crafted from old-vine Merlot with a supporting cast of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a wine of remarkable balance, perfume and finesse. One of the oldest and most revered estates on the Pomerol plateau, Vieux Château Certan has been a reference point for the appellation since the 19th century, consistently producing wines that rival the very greatest names of the Right Bank.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Vieux Château Certan shows a deep, vibrant garnet-purple hue, signaling both concentration and freshness. The nose is strikingly expressive and layered: aromas of candied violets, rose petals and eucalyptus weave around lush notes of chocolate-dipped cherries, black plum compote, mulberries, black raspberries and blueberry tart. Subtle accents of licorice, warm iron and earthy truffle add complexity and an almost tactile sense of Pomerol’s clay-rich soils. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied with a beautiful sense of poise rather than weight. The 80% Merlot core delivers succulent dark berry and plum fruit, while the 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon bring lift, structure and a cool, aromatic edge. The tannins are exceptionally fine and silty, giving a velvety texture that glides across the mouth, supported by well-judged freshness that keeps everything vibrant. The finish is long, perfumed and precise, with lingering notes of dark berries, florals and a hint of truffle. Enjoyable now with a proper decant, it has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for 15–25 years in a good cellar.

Production
Vieux Château Certan sits on the prime central plateau of Pomerol, where deep clay and gravel soils, mixed with iron-rich subsoils, provide ideal conditions for Merlot and Cabernet Franc to achieve both ripeness and refinement. The estate’s old vines are meticulously tended, with careful green harvesting and sorting to ensure only the best fruit makes it into the grand vin. Grapes are picked by hand, parcel by parcel, at optimal ripeness and sorted rigorously before fermentation. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled vats, with gentle extraction to preserve finesse rather than sheer power, followed by élevage in French oak barrels (a significant proportion new) that allows the wine’s complex aromatic profile and silk-smooth texture to develop without overwhelming the purity of the fruit.

Food & Serving
Vieux Château Certan 2017 is an outstanding partner for refined dishes built around texture and depth of flavor. Think roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, beef tenderloin with truffle jus, duck breast, veal chops, or rich mushroom dishes such as porcini risotto or wild mushroom ragout. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmesan. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. Decant for 1–2 hours in its youth to allow the bouquet to fully open and the tannins to soften; as the wine matures, a shorter decant (30–45 minutes) will generally be sufficient.

Producer
Vieux Château Certan is one of Pomerol’s historic great estates, with roots dating back to the early 18th century, making it one of the appellation’s oldest châteaux. Since 1924 it has been owned and managed by the Thienpont family, a name synonymous with quality on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Under the guidance of Alexandre Thienpont and now his son Guillaume, the estate has cemented its reputation for crafting intensely refined, long-lived wines that stand among the most sought-after in Bordeaux. Known for its meticulous vineyard work, low yields and unwavering focus on elegance and terroir expression, Vieux Château Certan is widely regarded as a reference point for Pomerol and a perennial contender at the very top tier of Bordeaux wines.

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