"At Vieux Château Certan, every plot has the potential to produce great wine. As such, there are no plots dedicated to the second wine, but Gravette is mainly composed of the estate's young vines. The bouquet has hints of cherries and spices. Silky in character, the wine reveals itself slowly and displays its power with delicacy and precision. What superbquality ...and this is "just" the second wine!" (Yves Beck 2021) - Delivery in wooden cases is available for orders of 6 bottles of this wine (depending on the country and shipping method selected).
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Eye
Deep ruby color
Nose
Delicate aromas of concentrated, fruity ripe grapes, cherries, and spices
Mouth
The attack is delicious with notes of chocolate and licorice, enveloped by soft, silky tannins. Its balance and long aromatic finish make this a wine of character.
Serve
At 16-17°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2024
Drink before
2035
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy with a turkey stuffed with chestnuts or creamy cheeses.
Bettane & Desseauve
4-star rated estate (Producers of very high quality, those who are the pride of French vineyards)
About the estate:
The estate, which has belonged to the Flemish Thienpont family for nearly a century, is one of Pomerol's superstars. Here, Merlot accounts for only 65% of the vineyard and excels on the clay soils near Petrus. The 35% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon come from predominantly gravelly soils. These two grape varieties make the difference over time, allowing the wine to evolve like a great Médoc, which is unique in Pomerol. Vieux Certan gains velvety density after about ten years. Alexandre Thienpont, ably assisted by his son Guillaume, can play on several registers, including ultra-refined tannins, smooth texture, and aging potential, as this wine is one of the best in Pomerol. The consistency of this wine is legendary. While 2016, 2015, 2011, and 2005 will go down in Pomerol history, this wine has enjoyed a string of successes and flirts with the absolute heights, justifying its price tag of over €300.
Decanter
Wine rated (2022 guide) 94/100
About wine:
A magnificent nose of sweet spices, hints of licorice, and wild berries. Excellent clarity on the palate, with a silky texture and lively fruit flavors. Extremely young and bursting with energy. It is very fruity with hints of cherry and cherry pit. Truly playful in the best sense of the word, with charming fragrant notes from start to finish—2019 was "the year of fragrance" according to Alexandre Thienpont. So much to love here. Drinking window: 2024–2034.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Wine rating (2022 guide) 92/100 (Outstanding wine)
Rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About wine:
The 2019 Gravette de Certan is a full-bodied, charming wine, bursting with aromas of cherries, minty blackberries, and licorice. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, ample and generous, it is sensual and succulent, with an enveloping core of fruit, supple tannins, and lively acidity. It is made entirely from Merlot this year and comes largely from vines planted in 2010, supplemented by a parcel planted in 1998.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2022 guide) 3 stars (These represent the excellence of French vineyards. The best terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wine is always a magical moment.)
About the estate:
Located in the heart of the Certan plateau, on plots that are sometimes gravelly, sometimes clayey, Vieux Château Certan boasts an exceptional heritage of old vines. While the blend is traditionally dominated by Merlot, it is the Cabernets that give it its unique character, although this sometimes works against it during primeur tastings, as the wine lacks the immediate fleshiness of some of its neighbors. However, it does not lose weight during aging and even gains definition after five years. It then ages like a great Médoc, retaining a fabulous freshness. Since 2011, Guillaume Thienpont, an oenologist and engineer, has joined his father Alexandre in managing the family estate. The wine shows exceptional consistency and the latest vintages have earned it a well-deserved third star.
Wine Enthusiast
Rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated (2020 guide) 17/20
James Suckling
Rated Recommended
Le Figaro vins
Wine rated (2022 guide) 93/100
About wine:
A spicy, highly nuanced and clear nose of rosemary, iris and peony, evolving towards old rose. A few hints of gentleman farmer. The palate is supple, rich and enveloping, yet retains a great deal of fluidity. A more grainy texture appears on the finish, which is both elegant and opulent.
Yves Beck
Wine rated (2021 guide) 93/100
About wine:
At Vieux Château Certan, every plot has the potential to produce great wine. As such, there are no plots dedicated to second wine; instead, Gravette is mainly composed of the estate's young vines. In 2019, the yield reached 40hl/ha. The bouquet has hints of cherries and spices. Silky in character, the wine reveals itself slowly and displays its power with delicacy and precision. What a superb level... and it's "just" the second wine! 2024-2039
Customer rating
4/5
based on 1 review
Review and opinion by Mr. JH M. Published on 03/06/2025
See all reviews from this customer
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