List of products by brand VIEUX CHATEAU CERTAN

Vieux Château Certan holds a singular position within Pomerol. Established on the appellation's central plateau, this 14-hectare Bordeaux château combines centuries of history with a sharply defined viticultural identity, upheld for a century by the Thienpont family.

A château rooted in the history of Pomerol

The origins of Vieux Château Certan reach back to the sixteenth century, when the Scottish Demay family first cultivated this plateau in the Gironde. The estate was recorded under its current name as early as 1745, making it one of the oldest documented properties in Pomerol. In 1924, the Belgian négociant Georges Thienpont acquired the château, marking the beginning of a family stewardship that has now spanned four generations. Today, Guillaume Thienpont oversees the estate with the same rigorous, unhurried approach that has defined it throughout the twentieth century. There is no restlessness here, no chasing of fashion: the Thienpont family has consistently prioritised precision and longevity over volume or spectacle, and the wines reflect that philosophy entirely.

Terroir: clay, gravel and iron-rich subsoil

The 14 hectares of Vieux Château Certan form a single, unbroken block on the plateau de Pomerol — a continuity of terroir that is increasingly rare in the appellation. The soils are predominantly clay (around 70%), with clay-gravel mixes accounting for a further 25% and pure gravel for the remaining 5%. Beneath these surface layers lies a subsoil of crasses de fer — iron-rich hardpan — which plays a decisive role in water retention and vine stress, contributing to the concentration and structure that characterise the château's wines. This geological foundation, combined with the plateau's natural elevation and exposure, creates conditions of remarkable consistency from one vintage to the next.

Grape varieties and winemaking

Where many Pomerol properties lean heavily on Merlot, Vieux Château Certan maintains a notably diverse encépagement. Merlot forms the backbone of the blend, but Cabernet Franc occupies a structuring role of genuine importance, and Cabernet Sauvignon also features — an unusual presence in the appellation. This blend imparts a finesse, a graphite-edged tension and an aromatic complexity that distinguishes the château's reds from the richer, more opulent style associated with its neighbours. The élevage is conducted with care and without excess, respecting the natural character of each vintage rather than imposing a house style.

The wines of Vieux Château Certan

• Vieux Château Certan (rouge) — the grand vin of the estate; a structured, age-worthy Pomerol of exceptional depth and aromatic precision, built around the interplay of Merlot and Cabernet Franc on iron-rich clay soils.
• La Gravette de Certan (rouge) — the second wine of the château, offering earlier accessibility while retaining the characteristic tension and complexity of the terroir.

Why we have selected Vieux Château Certan

At Halles Quercamps, we have listed Vieux Château Certan for three reasons that matter to us as merchants. First, the integrity of the terroir: 14 hectares in a single block on the plateau de Pomerol, with iron-rich subsoil that gives the wines a structure and longevity rarely found at this level. Second, the distinctiveness of the blend: the prominent role of Cabernet Franc alongside Merlot produces reds of genuine complexity — wines that reward patience and reward the cellar. Third, the consistency of the Thienpont family's stewardship over a century: this is not a château that reinvents itself with each generation, but one that refines and deepens its identity. We recommend these wines to confirmed Bordeaux enthusiasts who seek precision over power, and to those building a cellar with an eye on the long term. At table, the grand vin pairs beautifully with roast lamb, aged hard cheeses, or a well-hung côte de bœuf.

Discover all wines from this château

Browse the full selection of Vieux Château Certan wines available to order, and explore each vintage in detail, below.