2018 Chateau Certan de May - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 93 pts – JA: *Richly aromatic on the nose, with touches of fig and raspberry alongside touches of Cabernet stem. Certainly needs a lot of time and remains pretty fierce and austere right now, but this has huge potential. A blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.* - 11/2020

Falstaff Magazin Juni 2019 – 94 pts: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Reife Pflaumen, dunkles Waldbeerkonfit, ein Hauch von Lakritze, floraler Touch. Saftig, rund und opulent, frisch strukturiert, ein Hauch von süßen Feigen, schokoladiger Touch, gute Länge, ein komplexer Speisenbegleiter.*

*The 2018 Certan de May is composed of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of red cherry compote, redcurrant jelly and black raspberries with nuances of potpourri, fallen leaves, tapenade and cinnamon toast plus a waft of cigar box. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a wonderfully plush texture and seamless freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long with a spicy kick.* (93-95/100)

Vinum Magazin – 17/20pts: *Unterscheidet sich wohltuend von den Weinen, die nur mit Extrakt aufwarten, besitzt im Gegenteil Frische trotz der Fülle, aromatische Komplexität und Rasse, Klassetannin mit Schliff, grosse Länge; könnte noch zulegen durch den Ausbau.*- 06/2019

Weinwisser – 19/20pts - WL: * Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem rubinrotem Rand. Berauschendes Bouquet nach reifen Brombeeren, Alpenheidelbeeren und viel Cassiswürze. Im zweiten Ansatz Weihrauch und erkalteter Kräutertee. Am mächtigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und fleischigem Extrakt, perfekte Balance von stützender Rasse und einer vollen Breitseite reifer Tannine. Im nicht enden wollenden Finale katapultiert sich der Pomerol in eine neue Dimension, Wildkirsche, tasmanischer Bergpfeffer und dunkles Graphit. Was auffällt, ist die aktuelle Trinkfreude bei diesem Wein, der gerne als der Montrose aus Pomerol bezeichnet wird. Genialer Pomerol zu einem guten Preis!* – 04/2021

*Offers a nice display of fruit, with cassis, boysenberry and plum flavors all wrapped together. The ample structure is polished and integrated. Anise details flash on the finish. Well-built.—J.M.* (93-96/100)

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5+/20pts – JH: *Deep crimson. Intense pure sweet and sour cherries on the nose, amazing fruit intensity and openness on the nose, with a slight charry dark-fruited overlay. Fresh and silky on the palate, finely textured, lithe and surprisingly juicy on the finish.* - 04/2019

*The finesse and density to this young Pomerol is certainly impressive with gorgeous plum and floral character, full body and a very long and caressing finish.* (95-96/100)

Vinous.com – 91 pts – AG: *The 2018 Certan de May has come together nicely over the last nearly two years. Some of the more angular edges has soften. Today, what comes through is an attractive Pomerol laced with hints of red, purplish fruit, lavender and spice. There is good depth to the 2018 if not quite the complexity or nuance of the best wines in the appellation. Overall, Certan de May is fruity and rather one dimensional. Drink it over the next two decades, give or take.- 03/2021

*This is a rich wine with 30% of the blend made up of Cabernets. The palate balances a strongly tannic texture with plenty of fresh acidity, which will allow this fine wine to age.* (93-95/100)

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 94 pts – JL: *Soft, silky, red, and black plums, complicated by cocoa and dried floral notes which shine through on the nose, and on the medium-bodied, silky-edged palate. Drink from 2023-2035.* - 11/2023