Certan de May 2016

Pomerol

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Tasting Notes

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.

Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2046 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Certan de May is powerful and dense in the glass. Dark tonalities of fruit and a sense of gravitas are two of the signatures. This is an especially vertical, baritone expression of Pomerol. Dark spice, lavender, leather and licorice infuse the dark, potent finish. The 2016 delivers serious flavor intensity while retaining its super classic midweight sense of structure.

Score: 93 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 25 April 2017

The 2016 Certan de May was disappointingly skinny when I tasted it from barrel. It has put on weight during its élevage, as one expects, but trust me, this is not up there with the greatest wines from Certan de May. The bouquet is pleasant but does not go that extra mile, coming across a little green around the edges and missing some vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannins and well-judged acidity. I appreciate the freshness here, but this does not deliver the complexity or terroir expression of the best vintages, or even some of its great successes in the 2000s. I know this Pomerol can do better.

Score: 88 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2035 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Certan de May is a blend of 65% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a perfumed bouquet with bright red fruit laced with wilted rose petals, the oak nicely integrated, although it just lacks a little complexity compared to other recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied and felt rather "skinny" on the entry with some hardness to the tannin. Linear and austere, this is a perplexing showing of a Pomerol that I have a lot of time for, continuing a patchy run of form.

Score: 86 - 88 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2035 Date: 28 April 2017

Dark crimson. Particularly rich, curranty nose. Really quite intense. And then on the palate it's all freshness and light. Should be a long-distance runner. Lots of sinew. (17+ Points)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026-2044 Date: 12 April 2017

Lovely plum cake and melted licorice flavors lead the way, backed by plum and cherry compote notes. Fruit-forward, with just a light woodsy hint for spine, while the finish lets perfumy tea and floral accents hang.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 10 April 2017

This is really powerful with big tannins and strong acidity. Full and intense. A wine for long-term aging yet one that offers accessibility at the same time. This estate is on a roll now.

Score: 97 - 98 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 04 April 2017

Very open expressive fresh nose, red with clean, bright high-toned fruit, cherry and redcurrant and lots of verve and bite. An elegant Certan de May

Score: 91 - 94 Albany Vintners, - Date: 01 January 1900