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Wine Description
The Story
Vieux Chateau Certan is one of Pomerol's oldest and most exalted estates, having produced wine since at least the mid 1740s. On the Belleyme Map, published in 1785, the property was listed as "Sertan" and was owned by the Demays, a family of established Bordeaux negociants. A century later, ownership passed to a banker, Charles de Bousquet, who sold it to George Thienpont in 1924.
The family diversified in 1979 when Marcel and Gérard Thienpont founded nearby microcuvée estate Château Le Pin. In 1985, management of Vieux Château Certan came to Alexandre Thienpont.
Wine Information
1998 was a rare year in that the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties ripened very early, just a few days apart. All the grapes were consequently hand-picked by some 40 harvesters between September 21st and 26th. The harvest was not very bountiful due to the hot, dry summer, even involving a certain lack of Cabernet Franc. The blend selected is a perfect reflection of these weather conditions, with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.
After ageing for 18 months in new oak barrels, the Vieux Château Certan 1998 can now assert itself as an exceptional vintage.
Its dark ruby-red colour, with flashes of crimson, reveals the bluish fringe of a young wine. It is typical of the Pomerol appellation, with a nose of marked fragrances of violet and blackcurrant, and the promise of great complexity. On the palate, the initial taste is smooth yet bold, heralding a powerful, concentrated, lush wine, with aromas of chocolate and liquorice. The wine boasts the smoothness, velvet, depth and density of the 1995 vintage.
The Vieux Château Certan 1998 has all the qualities required for laying down and magnificent ageing over the next twenty something years. The wine should be served in a decanter, earlier when young, later as it ages.
