Wine Advisor
Certan de May 2019
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Certan de May rocks up with open-knit scents of warm black cherries, baked plums and blackberry pie with hints of charcoal, crushed rocks, iron ore and menthol plus a fragrant touch of sandalwood. Medium-bodied, the palate gives a pleasantly chewy texture and lovely freshness, supporting the subtle black fruit layers, finishing on a mineral note.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The 2019 Certan de May has turned out very well, offering up aromas of rich cherries, cassis, loamy soil and creamy but nicely integrated new oak. Full-bodied, layered and lively, with fine concentration, powdery tannins and a long, penetrating finish, this is beautifully balanced Pomerol that no doubt benefits from the perspective of consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2019 Certan de May is reticent and severe, both on its own and certainly in comparison with most Pomerols in this vintage. Tobacco, cedar, licorice and sweet red cherry struggle to emerge. My impression is that there is a lot of potential, but that potential is not always realized. I expected more here.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, menthol and anise are some of the notes that lift from the 2019 Certan de May. Medium in body, pliant and expressive, the 2019 has much to recommend it. Today, the 2019 is perhaps just a touch introspective, but there is plenty going on here.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Certan de May is a curious Pomerol. As I mentioned in my note from barrel, it has an open-knit nose of red berry fruit, touches of black tea, white pepper and damp earth. The palate is cohesive on the entry with light tannins, and a little more angular than its peers (especially juxtaposed against the Hosanna). It seems to be a little pinched and lacks the peacock’s tail that defines many 2019 Pomerols. It just leaves me wanting more.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Certan de May, which has been under the guidance of Jean-Claude Berrouet since 2013, was picked 17 to 23 September with respect to the Merlot. The Cabernets were picked between 1 to 4 October. It has a nose that I recognize from previous years, open-knit with bright red fruit, maybe just a little green around the edges. There is a background scent of stewed black tea. The palate is fresh on the entry with a grainy texture, fresh acidity, quite sharp in fact. A slightly pinched finish needs to develop more flesh to round it out. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Certan de May, which has been under the guidance of Jean-Claude Berrouet since 2013, was picked 17 to 23 September with respect to the Merlot. The Cabernets were picked between 1 to 4 October. It has a nose that I recognize from previous years, open-knit with bright red fruit, maybe just a little green around the edges. There is a background scent of stewed black tea. The palate is fresh on the entry with a grainy texture, fresh acidity, quite sharp in fact. A slightly pinched finish needs to develop more flesh to round it out. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is a very attractive wine with blackberry, walnut and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Full body, firm tannins and a fruity finish. Yet, it’s reserved and pretty.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Tar and dried tobacco with black cherries and blackberries. Stones, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a flavorful finish. Really tightly wound. Try after 2026.
About the Producer
Château Certan de May (or to use its full name, Château Certan de May de Certan) is a critically well-regarded wine estate in Pomerol on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, known for its highly sought-after Merlot-based red wine. The De May (or Demay) family were said to be of Scottish origin, but had lived in France since the Middle Ages, and in Pomerol since the late 1500s. The family became masters of the fief of Sertan, the oldest vineyard in the district. This area also covered the modern vineyards of Vieux Château Certan (which lies just over the road from the winery building) and Château Certan-Giraud (since renamed Château Hosanna), but was divided up after the French Revolution. Since the death of the last de May in 1925, the estate has been owned by the Barreau-Badar family and is currently managed by Jean-Luc Barreau. The vineyard covers five hectares (12 acres), with 70 percent planted to Merlot, 25 percent Cabernet Franc and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, with 60-80 percent new oak. Around 2000 cases are produced each year.
