2020 Chateau Certan de May - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 92 pts – GH: *Quite a potent and perfumed nose, richly scented. Opulent but vibrant on the palate, the fruit is intense and concentrated with nice acidity but is restricted a little by the tannins although they're super fine and well integrated. A bit sombre, but cool and detailed, though not giving as much in terms of weight and push and density. Stops a bit short with liquorice and subtle toasted spice on the finish. Will be good to retaste in bottle. 5.5 hectare vineyard, clay and deep gravel. Harvest 7 September for Merlot and Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon 20 September.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Reife schwarze Kirschen, einladende Brombeerkonfitüre, kandierte Orangenzesten, entwickeltes Bukett. Komplex, saftig, dunkle Frucht, frisch und lebendig am Gaumen, salzig-zitronig im Abgang, ein facettenreicher, früher zugänglicher Speisenbegleiter.* - 01/2023

Vinum Magazin – 18/20 pts: *Viel versprechende, fruchtig-blumige Aromatik; im Mund von besondere Rasse und erstaunlicher Frische, Tannin mit Peps, langes, saftiges Finale; die ganz grosse Klasse!* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 18,5/20pts – GL, TW: *60 % Merlot, 30 % Cabernet Franc, 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Tiefgründiges blaubeeriges Bouquet, betörendes Veilchenparfüm, Heidekraut und heller Tabak, dahinter Heidelbeergelee und rote Grütze. Am sublimen, straff ausgerichteten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, feinkörnigem Extrakt, dunkler Mineralik und muskulösem Körper. Im gebündelten Finale Wildkirsche, Schokopastillen und erhabene Adstringenz.* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 17+/20pts – JL: *60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Another fine offering from this much-improved estate. Deep, bright crimson. Red- and dark-fruit notes with a hint of liquorice. Attractive density and weight. Juicy, fresh and gourmand, the tannins silky and long. Persistent.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (92-95) pts – AG: *The 2022 Certan de May is a seriously beautiful wine. Ripe, succulent and very juicy, Certan de May offers tons of immediacy. The style is perhaps a bit opulent, but that is the year. Blue/purplish fruit, licorice, lavender, spice and chocolate are front and center in this decidedly hedonistic Pomerol.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (93-95) pts – JL: *Roses, chocolate-covered plums, smoke, licorice, and scorched earth form the perfume. On the palate, the wine is long, rich, silky, fresh, and loaded with layers of dark cocoa-covered plums, licorice and black cherries, There is more richness than you normally find here, along with silky-tannins, lift, and opulence in the finish. A bit more Cabernet in the blend really made a difference this year. The wine blends 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2026-2042.* - 05/2023