Vieux Château Certan - Pomerol 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

Sovereign, voluble, lavish with bursting fruit, hedonistic without ever overdoing it, 2020 adds a special seductiveness to the eminently racy style of the wines from the Thienpont family estate. It is even more spectacular in the bottle than during the en primeur tastings.

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

Vinous

About wine:

Vieux Château Certan 2020 is a wine of total harmony and finesse. Absolutely nothing is out of place. Supple and seamless, this 2020 is still young, but it is so impressive. Creme de cassis, lavender, mocha, and licorice are just a few of the many notes that emerge from the glass, but more than anything else, this 2020 is a majestic Pomerol that will thrill those lucky enough to own it. There's not much else to say. 2030–2070

James Suckling

About wine:

A true Pomerol with aromas and flavors of black berries, chocolate, hazelnut, and walnut. Black fruit. Crushed stone. It is full and intense, with great concentration. Powerful, yet so balanced and intense. Juicy mid-palate. Fantastic length. Great clarity. Drink after 2028.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

"VCC" is once again among the great successes of the vintage. It has an incomparable delicate nose, initially reserved (which adds to its charm, as we know), before revealing floral aromas with a distinct hint of chamomile. The palate is a model of elegance, with a silky texture: flavorful, rolling, thirst-quenching, and radiant, it stretches out endlessly for our greatest pleasure. No seams or rough edges disturb the delicious flow of this wine, which is full of life and grace. Would it be trivial to say that we can't wait to drink it?

Yves Beck

About wine:

What density and precision in this bouquet, which reveals a multitude of elements, both in its floral nuances and the ripe, inviting character of the Merlot. Beautiful density on the palate, where the wine stands out for its power but also its tension. A masterfully crafted wine, very precise, complete, compact, which needs time in the cellar. A great success. 2030-2050

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

An extraordinary effort, the wine is almost opaque in color. Its captivating aroma offers a bouquet of flowers, black, red, and blue fruits, chocolate, spices, espresso, and truffles. Incredibly concentrated, yet equally light, the wine is effortless to drink. With polished, velvety textures and fruit that expresses purity, combined with spices, chocolate, damp earth, and sensuality. The finish crosses the 60-second mark and just keeps going! This is a youthful glimpse of one of Vieux Château Certan's future legendary vintages. If this is your thing, and if you can afford it, buy it now because prices will only go up from here. Drink between 2027 and 2065.