Estate information
Area under vines : 14 hectares
Soils : Gravel on clay
Average age of the vines : 30 years
Aging : in new oak barrels for 18 to 22 months
Grape varieties :
Learn more about Vieux Château Certan
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The 2020 Vieux Chateau Certan was picked from September 14 at a low yield of 30hl/ha. The nose might be even better than the 2019 with blackberry, black truffle, pencil shavings and a touch of sous-bois. The aromatics are heavenly, perhaps even more compl
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2080
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Alexandre Thienpont thinks it s like 1947! A striking contrast between a rainy winter and a long, dry and often hot summer Early harvest with low yield of 30 hl/ha. No Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year because of drought. Harvest began 14 September.Deep purplish crimson – bluer than the 2019 – and almost out to the rim. Savoury and smart on the nose. Great vitality. A certain chew and inkiness but so glorious and such beauty! (JR)
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2060
The 2020 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, picked on the 14th to the 24th of September for the Merlot, then on the 28th and 29th of September for the Cabernet Franc. The pH is 3.77 and the alcohol is 14.5%. Deep purple-black colored, it needs considerable coaxing, swirling and a lot of patience before it finally lets rip an intoxicating perfume of ripe, juicy black plums, Morello cherries, candied violets, black truffles and crushed rocks, giving way to hints of black tea, molten licorice and Sichuan pepper, plus a waft of dusty red soil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers achingly ripe, silt-like tannins and shimmering freshness that melds with the black fruits and earthy layers with jaw-dropping seamlessness, finishing with layer upon layer of mineral and savory suggestions and, finally, a gorgeous floral whisper. There are going to be two ways to approach this: 1) Just let the remarkably sensual, inexplicable beauty of it wash over you or 2) Try to unravel all those intricate layers and have it blow you mind. Either way, this is simply an incredible achievementa bravo Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont!
Anticipated maturity: 2029-2069
