Certan de May 2020

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: William Kelley

Offering up aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with notions of aniseed, licorice and mint, the 2020 Certan de May is medium to full-bodied, broad and layered, with a rich and enveloping core of ripe, somewhat baked fruit. This is a solid effort, but it can't quite match the 2019.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Certan de May gives up compelling notes of ripe, juicy black plums, fresh blackberries and black cherry compote, plus suggestions of lavender, wild sage and clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate is softly textured with bags of freshness framing the generous black fruits, finishing on a savory note.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Certan de May has come together nicely. It remains a powerful, perhaps even monolithic, Pomerol, and yet it offers very good balance. A blast of black cherry, gravel, dried herbs, licorice and incense announces this decidedly brooding Pomerol. There's certainly plenty of depth and big tannins to match. The substantial finish is impressive. I would give this a few years in bottle to see what happens. The 2020 is a bruiser, that much is pretty evident.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Certan de May is a powerful, imposing Pomerol. Swaths of tannin enshroud the palate. Blue/purplish fruit, grilled herbs, gravel, chocolate and leather add to a feeling of gravitas. The 2020 has plenty of depth, and yet it feels rather monolithic. There is no flow here, the wine feels static.

vinous86

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

I expressed strong reservations towards the 2020 Certan de May in barrel, and sad to say, there is no reason to alter my view from bottle. For a start, the nose feels very herbaceous and lacks the complexity of the preceding Hosanna. Despite rigorous coaxing, it just doesn't click into gear. The palate shows marginal improvement with a little more substance, but where is the nuance, the depth, the complexity that this Pomerol can deliver in spades?

vinous90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

I meted out criticism towards the 2020 Certan-de-May from my sample bottle sent to the UK. To be honest, I was hoping I would eat my words when re-tasting soon after in Libourne. This bottle confirms that this is a Pomerol that could do better, especially in benevolent vintages, but it is an improvement. It just lacks presence on the nose, maybe a little less herbaceous but truth is, the aromatics are stuck in second gear. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fresh with fine acidity. It is a mid-weight Pomerol, balanced, a little conservative with a peppery finish. Not bad, but having encountered many a lovely Certan-de-May’s, I expect more.

vinous86

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

I meted out criticism towards the 2020 Certan-de-May from my sample bottle sent to the UK. To be honest, I was hoping I would eat my words when re-tasting soon after in Libourne. This bottle confirms that this is a Pomerol that could do better, especially in benevolent vintages, but it is an improvement. It just lacks presence on the nose, maybe a little less herbaceous but truth is, the aromatics are stuck in second gear. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fresh with fine acidity. It is a mid-weight Pomerol, balanced, a little conservative with a peppery finish. Not bad, but having encountered many a lovely Certan-de-May’s, I expect more.

james_suckling95

Reviewed by: James Suckling

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

james_suckling97

Reviewed by: James Suckling

Lots of violets and flowers with hints of smoke and spice. Then dried flowers. Full and broad with tannins that flow across the palate. Chiselled. The real deal here for Pomerol. 65% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Give this four to five years.