2021 Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol

Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont navigated the 2021 vintage by prioritizing aromatic preservation and structural precision, utilizing a gentle extraction regimen with significantly reduced pump-overs to manage the season's cooler profile. The wine is grounded in the estate's 14-hectare contiguous plot on the Pomerol plateau, where the mosaic of deep clay and gravel-rich parcels allowed for the inclusion of all available Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%) to provide structural integrity. This 2021 Grand Vin represents a return to a classic Bordeaux framework, defined by a 13. 2% alcohol level and a high-acid core that yields a vertical, transparent architecture. Its structural identity is built on fine-grained, silky tannins and a mid-palate density derived from tension rather than weight. The finish is notably persistent and saline, reflecting the physiological ripeness achieved through meticulous late-season canopy management and a harvest that extended into early October.