Return to Pomerol's Grande Dame: VCC with Alexandre Thienpont

After the previous evening's welcome dinner at Château Hôtel Grand Barrail in Saint-Émilion, my wife Dio and I began our first full day exploring Pomerol with a morning visit to Vieux Château Certan. This was our second time at this historic estate, once again hosted by Alexandre Thienpont, who gave us a comprehensive tour of the vineyards and cellars while sharing insights about the estate's century of family stewardship and his philosophy of minimal intervention winemaking. We also briefly met his son Guillaume, who will take over management in the coming years. This first tasting of our Pomerol journey set a high bar for the days ahead. Stay tuned for a blog post at heavypourwine.com with pictures and videos from the visit.

• 2020 Vieux Château Certan La Gravette de Certan 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Second visit to Vieux Château Certan in Pomerol hosted by Alexandre Thienpont. This is the estate's second wine, made from vines less than 25 years old. The 2020 vintage was excellent—very warm and dry—with conditions Alexandre compared to the 2025 vintage. The blend is approximately 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, quite close in composition to the grand vin. Alexandre described this wine as more supple due to the younger vines, noting it's perfect for lunchtime when you need to work in the afternoon. Served PNP. Bright fruit nose with refreshing character. Medium-high tannins with lots of red fruit on the palate and a mouth-drying finish.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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• 2018 Vieux Château Certan 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Second visit to Vieux Château Certan in Pomerol hosted by Alexandre Thienpont. VCC's distinctive composition—60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon—sets it apart from most Pomerol estates. Alexandre explained that Cabernet Franc brings the "cashmere side" to the blend, along with character, pedigree, and length on the finish. While shy on its own, in the blend it contributes aromatic complexity and structure to Merlot's opulence. The estate's 14 hectares are divided into 23 plots on varied soils, from Gunz gravel terrace to deeper clay, each managed according to soil type and vine age. Alexandre practices 100% sustainable viticulture, using traditional methods without micro-oxygenation, reverse osmosis, or other interventionist techniques. Vinification takes place in 21 temperature-controlled oak and stainless-steel vats. The wine spent 10 minutes open before tasting. You can really smell the Cabernet Franc in this wine—and it's on a completely different level than the second wine we tasted before it. Medium tannins but more integrated, with medium red fruit on the palate.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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This second visit to VCC reinforced why this estate remains one of Pomerol's most revered properties. Alexandre's hands-off winemaking philosophy and deep respect for terroir were evident throughout the tour, from the 23 individual vineyard plots to the traditional vinification methods. The 2018 grand vin particularly showcased the estate's signature style—the elegant interplay of Merlot's fruit with Cabernet Franc's aromatic complexity and structure. Alexandre mentioned that the 2022 vintage may be the finest wine he's ever made at VCC, combining the elegance of 2019 with the power of 2020, so that's certainly one to watch for.