Château Certan de May Château Certan de May

Pomerol, France

Vintage:2018 (Current)

2014 (Past) | 2015 (Past) | 2016 (Current) | 2017 (Current) |

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Château Certan de May Château Certan de May 2018
  • JS 96
  • WS 93
  • D 93

Reviews

Wine Spectator 93 Points March 31, 2021, James Molesworth

“This has a deep well of cassis, plum and blackberry preserve flavors to draw on, while licorice snap, black tea and roasted applewood notes emerge with some air. Solidly grippy back end with a nice tarry streak, showing good energy. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2023 through 2035.”

JamesSuckling.com 96 Points January 14, 2021, James Suckling

“Very classic style of Pomerol with black olives, blackberries and spices on the nose that follow through to a full body with layers of ultra fine tannins and a long, long finish. What a beautifully crafted red. Try after 2025.”

Decanter 93 Points November 9, 2020, Jane Anson

“Richly aromatic on the nose, with touches of fig and raspberry alongside touches of Cabernet stem. Certainly needs a lot of time and remains pretty fierce and austere right now, but this has huge potential. A blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Overview

The origins of Château Certan de May date back to the very beginnings of Pomerol. The de May family, who settled in France from Scotland in the Middle Ages, were gifted the property by royal decree in the 16th century as a gesture of thanks for services rendered to the crown of France. The estate began producing wine in the 18th century and was managed by descendants of the de May de Certans until 1925, when it passed to the Barreau family.

Situated on Pomerol’s prized central plateau, surrounded by illustrious neighbors such as Vieux Château Certan and La Fleur-Pétrus, Château Certan de May has long been considered one of the finest estates of the appellation. The wines owe their complexity to the vineyard’s soil composition, a combination of clay and gravel that bring together power and elegance, structure and freshness. The balance of the wines from Château Certan de May illustrates the unique complementarity of these terroirs.

Director and co-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 consultant 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. 

Tasting Notes

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.

Harvest Notes

Winter and spring were very rainy. A late budbreak allowed us to avoid a spring frost. The rainy spring caused a severe attack of mildew that required constant vigilance in the vineyard for many properties throughout the growing season.

Summer was dry and sunny : the main characteristic of this vintage was the 1,136 hours of sunshine between June and September, a notable record of the past fifty years.

Technical Information

Varietals: 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Acres: 13.5 acres acres

Soil Composition: Clay and deep gravel

Average Vine Age: 35 years