Certan de May
Certan de May
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Owner Jean-Luc Barreau applies all of his care and attention to producing a wine in the great tradition of his forebears. Vinified under the guidance of renowned consultants Michel Rolland until 2012 and Jean-Claude Berrouet since the 2013 vintage, Château Certan de May benefits from the best winemaking know-how. The wine is rich, powerful, complex; while it can be enjoyed after a few years of cellaring, its structure and natural depth lend it great ageability.
Wine Advocate 92: The 2021 Certan de May has also turned out nicely in bottle, bursting with attractive aromas of dark berries, cassis, licorice and fruitcake, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and dynamic palate with good depth of fruit, supple tannins and impressive length on the finish. As readers may remember, this Merlot-dominant blend incorporates fully 37% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, a figure that reflects the vintage (which favored these varieties) as well as a tendency to replant with Cabernet rather than Merlot over the last decade.
James Suckling 94: Good depth and breadth of complexity here showing cassis, black plums, fresh blackberries, iron, cigar and dark chili chocolate. Plump and juicy on the palate with medium to full body and a long and juicy finish. Tannins are fresh and caressing. An excellent delivery from the vintage. Drink or hold.
Decanter 92: Juicy and vibrant, this starts with a kick of almost chewy tannins and ripe fruit which moves into creamy blueberries and cola tones with a salty, liquorice finish. Textured and nicely weighted, nice acidity and a good food wine. Drink young and enjoy the youth and sense of buzz. This doesn't feel like they've tried too hard but this is definitely on the slightly more pushed edge with full/filling tannins and a density to the fruit profile.
Wine Enthusiast 94: The wine from this 13-acre vineyard is full of smoky, black-fruit aromas. It is fine with firm structure, some solid tannins and a fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2028.
Wine Advocate 93: The 2022 Certan de May has turned out nicely in bottle, bursting with aromas of minty blackberries and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and polished palate that's fleshy, suave and nicely balanced. This charming Pomerol is another strong effort for this discreet but well-located estate opposite Vieux Château Certan.
James Suckling 96: The opulent fruit character is excellent with strawberry, blueberry and raspberry puree as well as some violets. Almost exotic. Medium- to full-bodied, this has tight and integrated tannins that are very fine-grained. 60% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. This is an exquisitely polished young 2022. Drink after 2028.
Vinous 94: The 2022 Certan de May is just as impressive as it was from barrel. Silky, persistent and exceptionally well balanced, the 2022 is most notable for its refined structure and the natural opulence of the year. Blackberry, graphite, clove, menthol and licorice build as this ample, substantial Pomerol shows off its personality. The ripeness of the vintage is evident, and there is some noticeable oak, but this is still quite attractive. Tasted two times.
Decanter 92: Ripe and fragranced purple fruit on the nose. A touch sweet and jammy but also cool and fresh, the palate is a combination of juicy acidity with punchy, concentrated fruit flavours and fine tannins giving this an almost austere, graphite, mineral edge. It's not yet wholly cohesive and the energy finishes a touch too soon.
Wine Enthusiast 94: This small property, situated at the center of Pomerol, has yielded a dense, structured wine. Black fruit aromas and firm but rounded tannins are impressive and powerful, Drink from 2028.