2016Data sheet

Probably due to the effects of global warming, 2016 was a year of great climatic contrasts. A very mild winter was followed by a very rainy spring, which helped restore the soil’s water reserves. This water enabled the vines to cope well with very sunny and extremely hot conditions until late in the growing season.  

Thanks to a few rare days of fine weather in mid-June, the flowering process went quickly and evenly and provided an early indication of the satisfactory future crop size. With the grapes in an excellent state of health during the whole of the summer, the harvesting dates could be pushed back as far as possible, allowing the vines to benefit from a couple of rain showers which rehydrated the vines and enhanced ripening. The vigour of the old vines was favourably slowed, and as a result, they produced wines with amazing deep colour, concentration and balance.

Vieux Château Certan 2016 displays a deep, ruby hue of exceptional intensity and reveals aromas of black fruit and Royal Ann cherries. With opulent Merlot, the wine rolls over the tongue. The balance between freshness and concentration is superb. Velvety, seductive and flavoursome, this wine exhibits all the traits of a great, long-ageing vintage.

"The first bottles of this vintage may be enjoyed in the eight to ten years while the rest can be kept a further twenty years or more."

Alexandre Thienpont