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95 By Robert Parker
This great terroir sandwiched between Vieux Château Certan, Petrus and La Fleur Petrus, on the high plateau of Pomerol, has been owned for many years by the Barrau-Badar family. Beautiful coffee, cedar wood, Christmas fruitcake, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit jump from the glass of this full-bodied, rich, multi-layered, and very impressive Certan de May. I don’t remember it showing this well in barrel and post-bottling, but it is strutting its stuff at age 10, and has a good 20 years of upside left to it. This is a beauty. I especially admire the layered, textural style of the wine. Drink it over the next 20 years.
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Château Certan de May
Located just next door to the well-known Vieux Château Certan, Certan de May is fully known as Certan de May de Certan. It was once part of its more famous neighbor, but was then separated in 1858. The May family was a noble clan of Scottish origins that had settled in the area centuries before. When the family died out in 1925, the property was bought by André Badar, the father of its current owner. The estate is on the smaller side, even for Pomerol, with only 5 hectares that are planted to Merlot (70%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). Though the Barrau-Badard family has owned the château since the depression of 1929, it is actually managed by the JP Moueix company, who oversee grape growing, winemaking and distribution. Due to its lesser known reputation, it can be good value.