Chateau Certan de May 2023

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (90)

88-90 Aromas of dark berries, minty cherries, chocolate and creamy new oak introduce the 2023 Certan de May, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate that's a touch varietal and ephemeral, concluding with a fleeting, vanillin-inflected finish.

James Suckling (94)

Classic Pomerol character, with tapenade, black truffle and dark berry aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with creamy tannins and a savory, spicy, almost salty aftertaste. 65% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Needs three or four years to soften. Best after 2028.

Vinous (94)

The 2023 Certan de May is all substance and power. Dark-toned fruit, cloves, new leather, licorice, incense and scorched earth reinforce that initial impression. There's real breadth and power in the glass. The blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon yields a decidedly potent, explosive Pomerol.

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

A perfumed, aromatic, and floral Pomerol, the 2023 Château Certan De May is based on 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged 16-20 months in 80% new French oak. Juicy red fruits, leafy underbrush, and spring flowers all emerge from the bouquet, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It's one of the more open, expressive, and complex Pomerol in the vintage, and I'd happily drink a bottle any time over the coming two decades. Drink 2026-2045.