Château Certan De May, Pomerol, 2016
We wondered whether the 2015 Certan de May was the best ever. Well we prefer the 2016... Jean-Claude Berrouet, the former wine-maker at Petrus has been consulting here for a few years and the change of style is really taking effect. The 2016 is less exotic and confused and is more focussed, more classical and altogether more alluring. It is stricter and finer than the opulent 2015. Pure alpine strawberries, spicy, intoxicating crème de mûre. This is much more red fruited than normal, a touch confected, but pure and more authentic with a tobacco and tea leaf finish which is surprisingly persistent. 65% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.
critic reviews
The 2016 Certan de May is by far the best bottle that I have encountered and far superior to the one tasted after bottling. It has a more upfront, red fruit-driven bouquet, raspberry coulis and wild strawberry, inky in style, perhaps more primal than its peers at this stage. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, quite lush, yet there is backbone here. This feels sensual, very pure, with a finish that just glides, although I find just a bit more grip and density in its Pomerol peers. But this restores a bit of faith in this Pomerol, which is a good thing. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Well balanced, getting to the sweet spot, plenty of luscious brambled fruit and crayon character, mouthwatering finish, easy to love, this is really one to crack open and share right now.