Vieux Château Certan

Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont struggled through a very challenging growing season in 2013. The estate's old-vine Merlot was heavily affected by coulure and millerandage during flowering, which also lowered yields dramatically. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise when poor weather during the second half of August slowed down ripening. The canopies were opened beginning in August to allow as much exposure to heat, light and airflow as possible. In the end, the old-vine Merlot ripened best because yields were low on the vine. The young-vine Merlot and Cabernet Franc did not do so well. As a result, the 2013 has the highest percentage of Merlot ever. The Thienponts opted to lower new oak down slightly to 60% from around the more customary 70% or so. Selection was dramatic. There will be fewer than 1,000 cases of the 2013, as opposed to the more typical 5,000 or so.