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98
WS
97
Critic reviews

2009 Vieux Château Certan

Sale price $465.00 | In Stock Ships from our French cellar (Delivery in 4-10 days) | Drink or Cellar

A standout year for Pomerol, the 2009 vintage yielded wines of incredible depth and complexity. Vieux Château Certan opens with aromas of black cherries, truffles, and cedar, complemented by subtle floral notes. The palate is full-bodied and layered, with silky tannins and a lingering, harmonious finish.


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Cellared at 55°F & 70% Humidity

Critic Reviews
99

The 2009's nearly 14% natural alcohol, exquisite ripeness, and incredible complex bouquet of Asian spices, fruitcake, licorice, smoke, blackberries and black currants are to die for. A blend of 84% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses a viscous texture as well as a freshness and vibrancy that are remarkable given the wine’s weight, richness and potential massiveness. This extraordinary effort is one of the finest Vieux Chateau Certans made over the last sixty years. It will undoubtedly shut down in bottle, requiring a decade or more of cellaring. It should keep for 50 years thereafter. Proprietor Thienpont thinks it is a modern day version of the 1948.

As I wrote in my barrel tasting notes, the 2009 ranks alongside four of the legendary vintages of Vieux Chateau Certan’s ancient past, 1945, 1947, 1948 and 1950. It is undoubtedly a cleaner wine than those older vintages, and the selection process under proprietor Alexandre Thienpont was far more severe in 2009 than it would have been sixty years ago.

Robert Parker
98

Extremely youthful aromas of bramble fruits, even restrained dark plums, together with meaty and leafy, though not herbal notes, rounded off with a perfect integration of clove and chocolate. Bright, fruity palate, balanced by firm, dusty tannins which still need to integrate more. Crisp acidity and a tight yet polished finish. Feels more of a Left Bank style in this vintage. Best from 2029.

James Suckling
97

This shows gorgeous silk and polish, brimming with beguiling plum, cherry eau de vie and red currant fruit flavors laced with supple toasty vanilla and cedar hints. But in the background brews a darker side, with loam, maduro tobacco and iron notes, which take over on the finish authoritatively. This feels like it will get a lot bigger before it fully melds -- and that will be a while. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2035. 4,300 cases made.

Wine Spectator
2009 Vieux Château Certan
2009 Vieux Château Certan Sale price $465.00 | In Stock Ships from our French cellar (Delivery in 4-10 days) | Drink or Cellar

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The Estate

Vieux Château Certan is a highly esteemed estate located in the heart of the Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank. The château, dating back to the 16th century, is known for producing some of the most elegant and sought-after wines in the region. With approximately 14 hectares of vineyards, VCC cultivates primarily Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon.

1983 Vieux Château Certan 1983
1983
1983

Mature Vintage, Soft-Spoken Pomerol Grace

A warm vintage with supple fruit, dried herbs, and soft structure. This Pomerol shows graceful maturity and earthy complexity.

1990 Vieux Château Certan 1990
1990
1990

“Opulent, Legendary, Timeless”

The 1990 vintage in Bordeaux was characterized by a warm, dry growing season, resulting in perfectly ripe grapes with concentrated flavors and supple tannins. At Vieux Château Certan, the old-vine Merlot thrived alongside Cabernet Franc, producing a wine of remarkable complexity and longevity. Widely regarded as one of the finest vintages of the 20th century, it epitomizes the estate's ability to craft world-class wines with elegance and richness.

1993 Vieux Château Certan 1993
1993
1993

Cool Year, Fully Mature Pomerol Poise

Leaner and classic in style, this vintage offers savory notes, red fruit, and tobacco. A subtle, fully mature Pomerol.

1995 Vieux Château Certan 1995
1995
1995

Classic Vintage, Polished Right Bank Structure

This structured year delivered dark fruit, graphite, and elegant tannins. A classic Pomerol vintage built to age.

10123561107729 2005
2005
2005

Perfect Year Meets Pomerol Mastery

At Vieux Château Certan, the 2005 growing season provided near-perfect conditions, with ideal weather from flowering through harvest. The estate's old-vine Merlot and Cabernet Franc reached unprecedented levels of ripeness while maintaining fresh acidity, while the clay-rich soils helped moderate water stress during the warm summer. Alexandre Thienpont's precise picking decisions captured the fruit at its absolute peak of maturity.

10123561107729 2008
2008
2008

Late-Season Salvation Yields Elegance

At Vieux Château Certan, the 2008 season required patience and precision, with a cool summer followed by a saving grace of perfect autumn weather. Alexandre Thienpont's decision to wait for optimal ripeness proved crucial, while the estate's exceptional terroir and old vines helped maintain balance through the late harvest period. The long, dry September and October allowed for unhurried picking decisions, resulting in wines of classical proportions.

2009 Vieux Château Certan 2009
2009
2009

Pomerol Clay Moderates Heat

The estate's clay-rich plateau soils regulated water stress during the warm summer, particularly benefiting old vine Merlot on the property's prime parcels. Cool nights in October allowed ideal hang time and precise plot selection across VCC's historic terroir. The wine captures both power and elegance, showing intense black fruits and truffle notes backed by the château's characteristic iron-mineral complexity.

10123561107729 2015
2015
2015

VCC's Vintage of the Century

The 2015 growing season at Vieux Château Certan was near-perfect, with ideal weather conditions throughout. A warm, dry summer followed by perfect harvest conditions allowed for optimal ripening of both Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The estate's varied terroir, including clay and gravel soils, contributed to the wine's remarkable complexity and balance, resulting in a vintage of legendary status for VCC.

2016 Vieux Château Certan 2016
2016
2016

“Majestic & Timeless Precision

The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux was near perfect, with a rainy spring replenishing water reserves followed by a warm, dry summer and cool nights that ensured optimal ripening. At Vieux Château Certan, the old-vine Merlot and Cabernet Franc thrived, producing a wine with exceptional concentration, elegance, and freshness. This vintage is widely celebrated as one of both Bordeaux's greatest, offering immediate appeal and long-term aging potential.

2018 Vieux Château Certan 2018
2018
2018

Cabernet Franc Shows Grace

Intense summer warmth concentrated fruit on the estate's clay-rich plateau, while deep soils sustained vines through drought conditions. The Cabernet Franc parcels delivered crucial freshness despite the heat, particularly in the iron-rich sections. The wine reveals black fruits, violets, and truffle notes with the ethereal complexity distinctive to this Pomerol legend.

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