2021 Château Certan de May

The 2021 Certan de May turned out well, relative to how it showed en primeur. It remains a pretty hearty Pomerol, but élevage has smoothed some of the contours. Black cherry, cloves, leather, incense and tobacco are nicely amplified. Firm, chunky tannins wrap it all together.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2023)

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. 

- Zekun Shuai (07/2024)

The 2021 Château Certan De May comes from 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon planted in a 5.5-hectare parcel of clay and gravelly soils. It has a healthy ruby/purple hue to go with solid, fresher aromas and flavors of black cherries, leafy herbs, underbrush, and woodsmoke. With firmer tannins, medium body, and good overall balance, it's very much in the fresher, focused style of the vintage. Give it a few years and enjoy it over the following decade or so. It may ultimately end up being an outstanding wine at maturity. (04/2024)

A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Certan de May has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It starts off a little closed, unfurling to reveal notes of warm plums, juicy blackberries, and tar, plus touches of cardamom and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate offers tight-knit restraint, with fine-grained tannins and a fragrant earth-laced finish. (04/2024)

Solid for the vintage, with black currant preserves backed by hints of warm earth, licorice and roasted alder. Offers some grip without the vintage's austere grain. Sweet tobacco echoes on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2033. 1,700 cases made, 50 cases imported.

- J.M.

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.

- William Kelley (02/2024)