Chateau Vieux Chateau Certan 2015 Pomerol Bordeaux

Critics’ Scores

Unanimous Acclaim — Three Perfect Scores

The Vieux Château Certan 2015 achieved the rare distinction of receiving three perfect 100-point scores from leading critics, cementing its status as one of the vintage’s greatest wines. Antonio Galloni awarded 100 points via Vinous, praising its magnificent character and pure class. Additionally, James Suckling granted 100 points, highlighting the wine’s extraordinary balance and aging potential. Lisa Perrotti-Brown, writing for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, bestowed 98+ points, with the plus sign indicating potential upward revision as the wine evolves. Furthermore, Wine-Searcher’s aggregate critic score of 96/100 reflects broad consensus that this wine represents a Pomerol classic with few historical precedents, signaling that the estate’s glory days are unfolding right now.

The Estate

Vieux Château Certan 2015 — Pomerol’s Historic Glory

Vieux Château Certan stands as one of Pomerol’s most venerable estates, its history predating the appellation’s modern fame. Indeed, the property traces its lineage back centuries, establishing itself alongside Pétrus as the benchmark for this celebrated clay plateau. The Thienpont family acquired the château in 1924, bringing Belgian stewardship that has carefully preserved both tradition and terroir. Moreover, Alexandre Thienpont’s direction since the 1980s has elevated the estate to unprecedented heights, crafting wines that balance Pomerol’s signature opulence with remarkable finesse.

The estate’s 14-hectare vineyard occupies prime Pomerol real estate, neighboring Pétrus and L’Évangile on the plateau’s highest point. While many Pomerol properties favor Merlot almost exclusively, Vieux Château Certan maintains an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc—a deliberate choice that lends structure and aromatic complexity. Furthermore, the property’s ancient vines and meticulous viticulture yield exceptionally concentrated fruit, allowing the Thienponts to craft wines that age magnificently over decades.

Terroir & Grapes

Deep Clay on the Pomerol Plateau

The vineyard sits atop Pomerol’s famous button of deep blue clay laced with iron-rich gravel, the same geological formation that makes neighboring Pétrus so legendary. This dense clay subsoil retains moisture during dry spells while offering superb natural drainage, thus creating ideal conditions for Merlot to achieve phenolic ripeness. Additionally, the gravel topsoil warms quickly in spring, promoting even flowering and early ripening. The 2015 vintage particularly benefited from these deep clay soils, which provided essential hydration during the summer’s near-drought conditions, allowing the vines to maintain balance through véraison and harvest.

Vinification & Ageing

Traditional Methods, Modern Precision

The winemaking team harvests each parcel at optimal maturity, vinifying lots separately to preserve individual terroir expression. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats, where gentle extraction techniques coax depth without harshness. Furthermore, Alexandre Thienpont employs extended maceration periods for the Cabernet Franc parcels, building structure and aromatic complexity. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel, thus integrating oak influence from the earliest stages of élevage.

The final blend ages for approximately 18 months in French oak barrels, with a judicious proportion of new wood that enhances rather than dominates the fruit. Indeed, the estate favors medium-toast barrels from select coopers, allowing the wine’s inherent elegance to shine through. Meanwhile, the cellar team conducts regular racking and topping, ensuring the wine develops complexity while maintaining freshness. The 2015 received particularly careful élevage to preserve the vintage’s magnificent concentration and balance.

Vintage Character

2015 — A Near-Perfect Bordeaux Growing Season

The 2015 vintage unfolded as one of the finest years in recent Bordeaux history, particularly on the Right Bank. Quick and even flowering in early June set the stage for uniformly sized berries and balanced yields. However, the defining characteristic came from mid-June through late July, when hot, dry conditions bordering on drought stressed the vines, concentrating flavors and thickening skins. Fortunately, timely August rains provided necessary moisture for the final ripening phase without diluting concentration. Moreover, a warm, dry September allowed unhurried harvest at optimal phenolic maturity.

Pomerol particularly excelled in 2015, as estates with deep clay soils navigated the summer drought with ease, their vines tapping subterranean water reserves while hilltop gravel vineyards struggled. Consequently, the best Pomerol wines display extraordinary depth and opulence alongside surprisingly fresh acidity. The vintage produced wines of exceptional aging potential, with critics unanimous in declaring 2015 among the greatest Pomerol vintages alongside 2009, 2010, and the legendary years of the 20th century.

Tasting Notes

Sumptuous Depth Meets Pomerol Elegance

The wine pours a saturated, deep purple-ruby into the glass, its color immediately signaling the vintage’s concentration. On the nose, a magnificent bouquet unfolds with layers of ripe blackberries, black cherry compote, and kirsch, alongside tobacco leaf, dried violets, and earthy loam. Moreover, nuances of graphite, espresso, and exotic spices emerge with aeration, revealing the wine’s Cabernet Franc contribution. The palate displays full-bodied richness and sumptuous texture, yet never loses its elegant, mineral-driven backbone. Indeed, velvety tannins frame concentrated dark fruit, while vibrant acidity lifts the finish, which persists for more than a minute with waves of fruit, earth, and spice. Furthermore, the wine shows remarkable harmony despite its youth, suggesting extraordinary evolution ahead.

“Magnificent from bottle as it was from barrel. Rich, sumptuous and explosive in the glass, the 2015 is pure class.”

Service & Pairing

Cellaring & At the Table

While approachable now with extended aeration, the Vieux Château Certan 2015 will reward patient collectors with at least 15 to 20 years of cellaring before reaching its apex. Indeed, the wine possesses structure and concentration to evolve magnificently over three decades or more. At the table, pair this sumptuous Pomerol with richly flavored dishes that complement its earthy, truffle-laced complexity: think roasted rack of lamb with herbs, beef Wellington, or wild mushroom risotto. Moreover, the wine’s elegant tannins and vibrant acidity make it an excellent match for mature cheeses such as Comté or aged Manchego. Furthermore, game preparations—roasted duck breast with blackberry reduction, venison medallions, or wild boar—echo the wine’s dark fruit character while its savory notes enhance the meat’s natural flavors.

— Discover —

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