Jacques Thienpont recently acquired six hectares of vines in Saint-Emilion, near the prestigious vineyards of Troplong Mondot and Château Valandraud, owned by Jean-Luc Thunevin. This is a rightful return to his family history, as the Thienponts – originally wine merchants in Etikhove (near Ghent in Flanders) from 1842 onwards – bought Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion in 1921. However, Georges Thienpont was forced to sell it again ten years later at the height of the crisis, and subsequently bought Vieux Château Certan in Pomerol which is now run by his nephew Alexandre.

• AOC: Saint-Emilion
• Surface: 8 hectares
• Terroir: Clay and limestone-clay
• Grape varieties: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
• Maturation: 12 to 16 months in barrels (50% new, 50% second fill)