Certan de May 2015

This has a darker sheen of fruits in the blackberry and blood-plum spectrum with sweetly spicy and earthy aromas and some violets to boot. The palate has quite a forthright tannin firmness. A very long, linear wine with a full body and a smooth, fresh, blueberry/plum finish. An impressive wine that rolls endlessly through the finish. This has plenty of ageing potential. Try from 2023.

The 2015 Certan de May is composed of 80% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc, displaying a medium garnet-purple color and nose of warm red cherries, mulberries, crushed red and black plums and raspberry leaves with nuances of wild thyme, dried roses, cloves and eucalypt. Medium to full-bodied and boasting great harmony in the mouth, the palate delivers loads of red and black fruit layers interspersed with floral and herb accents and framed by a firm, ripe, fine-grained backbone, finishing with wonderful length and freshness. 2021 - 2040

The 2015 Certan de May was a perplexing wine out of barrel. In bottle it has a muted earthy bouquet that demands encouragement from the glass, dried herbs and undergrowth a little too conspicuous at this early stage given the vintage. The palate is pretty with supple tannin, fresh red cherry mixed with crushed strawberry and raspberry, just thinning out a little on the finish. It is a satisfying Pomerol but not a great Certan de May given what this vineyard can achieve. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2035.

Mid crimson. Intense and meaty on the nose. Round and silky on the palate. Not a drama queen but really quite regal in floating above the hoi polloi. Chapeau! Notably persistent.
Drink 2024-2040

This perfectly situated 5.5 hectare property lies directly opposite Vieux Chateau Certan and close to l'Evangile, La Conseillante, Petrus and Le Pin. There is no doubt that when they get it right here they are capable of producing Pomerol of the highest quality. The hit and miss nature of recent vintages means that pricing is relatively modest for such a great terroir. The vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright purple colour. Creamy vanilla and perfumed cherry blossom fruit. The palate is silky and smooth on entry with graphite, vanilla and star anise flavours. Warm and plump with some firm tannins on the finish. This has a seductive fruit profile but the structure to warrant cellaring before opening.

Falling under the Moueix umbrella and based on 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Certan de May comes from a top terroir situation between La Fleur Petrus, Petrus, and Vieux Château Certan, certainly good neighbors to have. It’s a beauty offering medium to full-bodied terrific notes of black cherries, underbrush, spice and dried earth. With fine tannin, nicely integrated acidity, loads of character, and moderate tannin, it’s unquestionably an outstanding wine to drink over the coming two decades. 2018 - 2038

Ripe black plum the nose has depth the start of the palate fleshy and sweet. Lighter and fresher in the middle some bramble and bilberry and although rich at the back the finish is lighter and bright. 2025-36

A marked step up from the firmer 2014, this is another highlight of the Moueix line-up this year. Floral, cedary and very fine, this has a bit of extra grip from the small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, but is pure, textured pleasure on the palate. Drink: 2020-30

There is a lovely whoosh of sexy fruit underpinning this wine and the texture is one step richer than many giving me something to sink my teeth into. The nose is brilliant with a terrific quality oak veneer gliding over a mass of velvety red fruit. Delicious and relatively forward.