Chateau Certan de May takes its name in the Bordeaux wine region from the long standing tradition of honoring the founding owner, the Demay family. The Demay’s were the first owners of the Pomerol property. In the late 1700’s, the vineyards of what is thought of as Vieux Chateau Certan and Certan de May, belonged to one large Pomerol property. The estate was divided after the French Revolution into smaller plots. The Demay family obtained 5 hectares of land that was called Petit-Certan.
The Pomerol vineyard is planted to 70% Merlot , 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon in a single parcel, which is uncommon in Pomerol. The vines are on average, 30 years of age. But they have old vines that with some vines being much older, having survived the frost of 1956. Most of their vineyard is just behind the small chateau and due west of the chateau, which is only a long, stones throw from Petrus and not too far from Lafleur. (The Wine Cellar Inside, March 2017)
Certan de May lies on the famous Pomerol plateau, neighbour to Vieux Château Certan and La Fleur-Pétrus. Its reputation is for extraordinary complexity – due to its complex soils – resulting in a paradoxical balance of power, freshness, rich structure and supreme elegance. The wine is rather decadent and while it can be enjoyed after a few years of cellaring, its structure and natural depth lend it great ageability.
From proprietress Odette Barrau-Badar, this vineyard, which is fabulously located just adjacent to Vieux Château Certan, Petrus and La Fleur Petrus, has produced a 2012 with a dark plum/purple color. There is often considerable Cabernet Franc in this blend, and I think that comes through in this wine with its notes of forest floor, earth and spice. It is fragrant, medium to full-bodied, rich and savory. This is another meaty, concentrated, very successful 2012 Pomerol It should drink well for 20 or more years.
Wine Enthusiast
94 POINTS
May 1, 2019, Roger Voss
“Poised and elegant, this wine comes from a 13.5-acre estate within stone-throwing distance of Pétrus. Its richness is sublimated by pure red-berry fruits and acidity to give a balanced wine with stylish tannins. Drink from 2024.”
Decanter
96 POINTS
April 2019, Jane Anson
“It's hard to beat the location of this estate - right opposite Vieux Château Certan, in that magic triangle by Le Pin and Petrus. Flavours of cold ash, cedar, liquorice, slate, damson and black cherry are set off with a pulse of minerality. I just love this wine, it's wonderfully rich and expressive. and yet young, poised and held back. A physically exciting wine with tension, making it so easy to recommend.”
JamesSuckling.com
98 POINTS
February 4, 2019, James Suckling
“A deeply intense and plush Pomerol with immaculately ripe fruit and tannins. So well executed with aromas of truffle, dark stones, coal smoke and intense dark plums and cocoa powder. The palate has an immaculate texture with very bright, velvety tannins, carrying rich dark plums. Plum pudding and Christmas cake to close.”
Vinous Media
95 POINTS
January 2019, Antonio Galloni
“The 2016 Certan de May is a powerful, dense wine, just as it was en primeur. A blast of grilled herbs, leather, smoke, tobacco, licorice and dark-fleshed fruits makes a strong opening statement. Potent and strap in feel, Certan de May shows the more virile side of Pomerol. The profile is decidedly sepia-toned. Readers should plan on being patient with the 2016. It is a jewel of a wine that just needs bottle age to be at its best.”
The Wine Advocate
94+ POINTS
November 30, 2018, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“A blend of 65% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Certan de May offers up notes of wild blueberries, black cherries and raspberry leaves with hints of black tea, roses and tar. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a wonderful quiet intensity of blue, red and black fruits plus a fine-grained backbone and superb freshness, delivery and very long, mineral-tinged finish.”
