Wine Advisor
Certan de May 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The 2021 Certan de May shows promise, offering up aromas of sweet cherries and berries mingled with hints of violets, rose petals and nicely integrated new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and fleshy, with lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins, I suspect it will flesh out with further élevage to become even more impressive. The 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.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
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.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
"A step in the right direction." Those were my sentiments toward the 2021 Certan de May from barrel. Now in bottle, the nose is disappointing, missing fruit intensity and for want of a better word, just a bit anonymous, showing only touches of autumn leaves and earth. The palate is thankfully better, with more depth and fruit concentration than I might have expected. The acidity is well-judged with good body and no herbaceousness toward the finish. Perhaps the aromatics were just closed on the day? Jury's out, but I remain open-minded and keep my fingers crossed for next time.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A CM with depth and finesse. Layers of fine tannins. Medium body. Blackberry and blueberry flavors. Juicy and fine finish.
Reviewed by: Zekun Shuai
Good depth and breadth of complexity here showing cassis, black plums, fresh blackberries, iron, cigar and dark chili chocolate. Plump and juicy on the palate with medium to full body and a long and juicy finish. Tannins are fresh and caressing. An excellent delivery from the vintage. Drink or hold.
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.
