Vieux Château Certan, leading light of Pomerol, in 4 great vintages

Vieux Château Certan is, without doubt, one of the very finest of all Pomerol. Its vineyard is located in the centre of the appellation next to those of Petrus, La Conseillante and L’Evangile. The vineyard comprises three different soil types; namely clay, clay/ gravel, and gravel, which explains the proportion of Cabernet Franc and the inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, a rarity in Pomerol. These two varieties thrive on well-drained, gravel soils, Merlot preferring clay. The owners, the Thienpont family, haven’t been swayed by fashion, instead preferring to produce refined, authentic, and age-worthy wines. There has always been something unforced, effortless, and refined about VCC – it is a remarkably textural Pomerol, capable of competing with the very best. The late Denis Durantou, who owned L’Eglise-Clinet, once commented to us that VCC was one of the four finest terroirs in Bordeaux, along with three vineyards on the Left Bank. High praise indeed from a man who knew a thing or two about making superb Pomerol himself.

We are pleased to offer the following vintages of VCC, all sharply priced and all of which have been stored with Atlas since shipment.

2000 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol

£2,600 per 12 bottle case in bond
2 cases available

2005 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
£2,200 per 12 bottle case in bond
2 cases available

2010 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
£1,500 per 6 bottle case in bond
4 cases available

2012 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
£1,300 per 12 bottle case in bond
1 case available
£650 per 6 bottle case in bond
2 cases available

2000 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
92 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com, August 2019
The 2000 Vieux-Château-Certan is a Pomerol that I had not encountered for some time. Perhaps this vintage has lost some of its initial luster, not least because the consensus from winemakers and consumers alike is that the appellation performed far better in 2001. This millennial VCC has a saturnine nose even after almost two decades, offering dusky black fruit, hints of chimney soot and tobacco, and later a whiff of licorice. It remains stubborn and sultry. The palate is quite muscular for a VCC, although fine acidity lends it tension. Where one might criticize Alexandre Thienpont’s wine for its lack of refinement and panache, for failing to realize the potential it showed during its first decade. As such, I would afford it another three or four years in bottle to see if it brightens up. Drink 2020-2035.

2005 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol

95 points, Neal Martin, robertparker.com, November 2013
Tasted at the Pomerol tasting at the Antique Wine Company. Alexandre Thienpont fashioned an impressive ’05 that I have been fortunate enough to taste multiple times. It has a strict, linear and primal nose that remain broody, with hints of crushed stone and truffle that emerge with time. The palate is supremely well balanced with crushed stone, expressive Cabernet Franc and a wonderful, structured finish that is very persistent in the mouth. This needs another four or five years to reach its plateau.

2010 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
96 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2020
The 2010 Vieux Château Certan feels a little disjointed at first, eventually manifesting more freshness with black fruit, freshly tilled earth, morels and cedar, all very well defined but I suspect requiring more bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. Pretty red berry fruit laced with soy, white pepper and cedar, fanning out beautifully and exerting a very gentle grip towards the finish. Superb. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. Drink 2024-2060.

2012 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
94 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com, September 2022
The 2012 Vieux Château Certan is relatively complex on the nose: red fruit, leather, balsam and lavender, well defined and nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a keen thread of acidity, harmonious and nimble yet with a filigree and detailed finish that beckons you back for another sip. This is one of the most sapid 2012 Pomerols. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. Drink 2022-2037.