The 2019 Vieux Château Certan is a monumental Pomerol that captures the vintage’s opulence and precision with exceptional grace. A blend of 78% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, it opens with a deeply perfumed nose of cassis, black cherries, violets, and exotic spices, underpinned by earthy minerality and hints of incense and cedar. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, layered, and seamless, offering lush dark fruit, vibrant acidity, and refined, powdery tannins. Its structure is both powerful and silky, culminating in a resonant, elegant finish that promises extraordinary aging potential. 

The Wine Advocate | RP 100
Published: Apr 7, 2022
Drink: 2029-2059

One of the wines of the vintage, the 2019 Vieux Chateau Certan unfurls in the glass with a striking bouquet of cassis and cherries mingled with notions of violets, loamy soil, sweet spices and incense. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it'sseamless and enveloping, with a fleshy core of beautifully vibrant fruit, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, this perfumed, sensual Vieux Chateau Certan is a remarkable achievement from Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 98
Published: Jun 6, 2024

Super-restrained and dark, concentrated blackcurrant on the nose, together with subtle licorice root, eucalyptus leaf and vibrant, earthy minerality. The rather austere character on the nose suggests a classy wine. The palate shows bright dark fruits with dense, ripe, large-grained and chewy tannins. Yet, super-refreshing and balancing acidity drives through the finish. Good, toasty and chocolatey aftertaste. All you expect from a top-class, young Pomerol. Best after 2035.

Decanter | D 98
Published: Mar 5, 2022
Drink: 2025-2050

This is glorious. Damsons and sloes, black and red cherries, violets, dried petals and saffron, cumin and curry leaf too – and then cedar and graphite from the Cabernet. Cool and fresh, lifted with cashmere tannins and a plunge-pool depth and elegance. Wonderfully harmonious, it flows across the palate in the most luxuriant way. The latest in a succession of great wines from VCC and probably the best of them all.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.50%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 15% Cabernet Franc 7% Cabernet Sauvignon 78% Merlot

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 19
Published: Jun 6, 2024
Drink: 2028-2060

78% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings complexity. ‘Everything contributed to the success of the vintage. A sufficiently cool and rainy winter. A fresh and sunny spring. Throughout the summer, a gradual water deficit before veraison and dry, sunny weather with cool nights … Welcome light rain showers from 22 September allowed the vines to rehydrate and complete the full grape ripeness.’ Harvest began 23 September.
Deep blackish crimson. Very comfortably established and well-knit nose. Just a little bit of heat but great drama on the palate. Already the tannins are so smooth! With a mass of ripe cassis fruit. The Merlot signature is so mild. Toasty and long. Voluptuous. Sweet and glamorous. Beautiful texture. Sinewy. Long and confident. Very classic. Still a little hint of spicy oak on the very end.