Certan De May 2016 (750ML)

98 JS / 96 DE / 96 VM / 94+ WA / 94 WCI

A deeply intense and plush Pomerol with immaculately ripe fruit and tannins. So well executed with aromas of truffle, dark stones, coal smoke and intense dark plums and cocoa powder. The palate has an immaculate texture with very bright, velvety tannins, carrying rich dark plums. Plum pudding and Christmas cake to close. Try from 2025. - James Suckling

It's hard to beat the location of this estate - right opposite Vieux Château Certan, in that magic triangle by Le Pin and Petrus. Flavours of cold ash, cedar, liquorice, slate, damson and black cherry are set off with a pulse of minerality. I just love this wine, it's wonderfully rich and expressive. and yet young, poised and held back. A physically exciting wine with tension, making it so easy to recommend. - Jane Anson, Decanter

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. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

A blend of 65% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Certan de May offers up notes of wild blueberries, black cherries and raspberry leaves with hints of black tea, roses and tar. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a wonderful quiet intensity of blue, red and black fruits plus a fine-grained backbone and superb freshness, delivery and very long, mineral-tinged finish.-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate

If you're looking for truffle and cherry notes, you came to right place. Add in soft, silky textures, polished tannins and a blast of ripe, sweet cherries with licorice and lift in the finish and you get the picture. This is substantially better in bottle than from barrel. 94 Points-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider