Wine Spectator (95-100)

Pure crushed grapes. Incredible nose. Full-bodied, with super concentration and ultraripe tannins. It lasts for minutes. Classy, but muscular. Certan de May is back with force. Score range: 95-100

James Suckling (94-95)

Gorgeous aromas. Tar, dark fruits and forest leaves on the nose. Full body, with lovely velvety tannins and a long aftertaste of dark chocolate, dark fruits and cappuccino.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2011 Certan-de-May has a well-defined and fresh bouquet, quintessentially Pomerol with a touch of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, well-judged acidity, good backbone with black pepper and cedar towards the slightly dry but still appealing finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

Wine Enthusiast (93-95)

Barrel sample. This is a very firm and concentrated wine with dark and smoky character. The palate is elegant and fine, but densely structured with dark tannins that give extra complexity.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2015 Certan de May is composed of 80% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc, displaying a medium garnet-purple color and nose of warm red cherries, mulberries, crushed red and black plums and raspberry leaves with nuances of wild thyme, dried roses, cloves and eucalypt. Medium to full-bodied and boasting great harmony in the mouth, the palate delivers loads of red and black fruit layers interspersed with floral and herb accents and framed by a firm, ripe, fine-grained backbone, finishing with wonderful length and freshness.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

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.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2017 Certan de May is a powerful, dense wine. Graphite, smoke, grilled herbs and dark red and purplish fruit confer a real sense of gravitas that also comes through in the wine's unctuous fruit and overall richness. The 2017 packs a serious punch, that is for sure. Although not the last word in finesse, Certan de May offers plenty of richness and body. It is one of the bigger Pomerols of the year. I would give the 2017 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

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Wine Advocate (93-95)

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Decanter (94)

Ripe nose with some black truffle, dark chocolate and blackcurrant. On the palate this is juicy and succulent, a lighter fresher wine than the two before, cooling mint, minerality, bright strawberry and raspberry leaf. lifted still with concentration and pomerol power but also glossy with some confidence shining through. Nicely integrated tannins and long length.

Decanter (94)

Ripe nose with some black truffle, dark chocolate and blackcurrant. On the palate this is juicy and succulent, a lighter fresher wine than the two before, cooling mint, minerality, bright strawberry and raspberry leaf. lifted still with concentration and pomerol power but also glossy with some confidence shining through. Nicely integrated tannins and long length.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

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.

As a discerning connoisseur, you'll appreciate the Chateau Certan de May Pomerol Croix de Certan 2019, a sublime Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This elite wine hails from the world-renowned Pomerol region of France's rustic vineyard landscape, crafted at the historic Chateau Certan de May, recognised globally for its mastery in winemaking.

The 2019 vintage champions balance, showcasing a ravishing tapestry of berry fruits interwoven with a depth of floral undertones and distinctive mineral richness, harmonised by its refined tannic structure. This intricate profile owes to the meticulous vinification processes, including selective handpicked harvests, traditional maceration techniques, and an extended ageing period in finely grained French oak barrels. Its boutique production adds to the exclusivity of this exemplary label.

The Chateau Certan de May Pomerol Croix de Certan 2019 exemplifies the epitome of French viticulture, destined to delight the most discerning palates and embellish any fine wine collection.

The Certan de May Croix de Certan 2020 is sourced from the esteemed Pomerol wine region, in the heart of Bordeaux, France. Exploiting the Merlot-dominated terroir on the Right Bank, this rare vintage showcases the renowned winemaking craftsmanship of the Certan de May estate, now held under the meticulous custodianship of Jean-Luc Barreau. The wine is matured in 70% new French oak barrels for around 20 months, reaching peak eloquence in its expression of dark fruits.

The significant proportion of Cabernet Franc lends floral bouquets and elegance to the inherent monolithic and opulent Merlot character. Its layered character offers hints of black cherry, plum, and graphite complemented by liquorice accents. Exhibiting velvet-like tannins and profound depth, the Certan de May Croix de Certan 2020 is a testament to refined winemaking. With cellaring potential, it promises to evolve with time, revealing complex dimensions for the discerning connoisseur. Sensational and complete, it's an exploration of excellence in a bottle.