We've received a small parcel of Vieux Château Certan and an up-and-coming Bordeaux property of consequence to share with you. Château Guillot-Clauzel is a tiny, family-owned plot in the heart of Pomerol It has been something of an underperformer over the last couple of decades. However, Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont of Vieux Château Certan took over management here beginning with the 2018 harvest. Sharing a team of experts with Vieux Château Certan, or VCC as it is lovingly referred to by top Bordeaux collectors, immediately has made this a property to watch. For reference for those who don't know, VCC was our second best-selling 2023 Futures release behind only Château Leoville-Barton this year with just over 100 bottles pre-sold. This is an opportunity to try the hand of the Thienpont family at just south of $100 (or in the case of the second label sub-$40!). Also scroll down for a small range of pristine Vieux-Château Certan that we have just received Ex-Château. - - BRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER
“We have instilled precision here—everything we do at Vieux Château Certan has begun here. The terroir is very interesting, gravelly, on a slope, facing south. It has a lot of potential. The terroir is very interesting, gravelly, on a slope, facing south. It has a lot of potential.”” - Guillaume Thienpoint of Vieux Château Certan
92-94 Points Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Guillot Clauzel is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc with a pH of 3.65 and 14.4% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with expressive red and black berry preserves, Black Forest cake and garrigue with hints of tobacco, fragrant soil, cloves and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is beautifully structured with ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness lifting the dense, earthy layers to a long, refreshing finish. Nicely done!"
90-93 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "Guillot Clauzel is one of the most intriguing Pomerols | tasted this year. Guillaume Thienpont has recently taken over the farming and winemaking at this small domaine. In 2018, Thienpont vinified seven lots from the 2.4-hectare property. The 2018 is soft, pliant and wonderfully inviting. Blueberry fruit, sage, mint and lavender are all nicely lifted. Fresh, silky and open-knit, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate. This is certainly an auspicious debut for Guillot Clauzel under the stewardship of Guillaume Thienpont. It will be interesting to see if Thienpont can coax a little more complexity from this site in the coming years. For now, the 2018 is certainly an impressive start. The blend is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc."
