Vieux Chateau Certan 1, route de Lussac F-33 500 Pomerol, France

While the original chateau at Vieux Chateau Certan dates back to late 1700’s, the modern history of the estate starts in 1924, the year that Belgian wine merchant Georges Thienpont purchased the property. The vineyard is located in the heart of Pomerol plateau covering 14 hectares in one single block. The vineyard is made up of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The varietal blend enables the best possible balance to be sough in each vintage between Merlot and the Cabernet Franc. The grapes are harvested by hand, aged in oak vats by variety, and the Grand Vin are matured in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 to 22 months. Vieux Chateau Certan is an elegant Pomerol. It is full bodied, rich, and offers ripe blackberry, plum, floral chocolate and spice aromas. It is made to become more complex as the wine is aged. My advice is simple: just remember the pink capsule.