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News
93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A bruising, black/purple-hued, full-bodied wine, the 2009 Certan de May displays notes of charcuterie, smoked game, herbs, black truffles, roasted meats, cassis and black cherries. This backward, robustly-styled Pomerol is loaded with tannin as well as extract. Give this full, powerful 2009 a decade of cellaring and drink it over the following 30+ years. I'm sure it is not better than the immortal 1982 Certan de May. (93+) (2/2012)
94-96 points Wine Enthusiast
Barrel sample. Wonderful concentration here, the wine has the most powerful wood spice, ripe and mineral tannins. It is impressive in every way, showing the total richness of the vintage. (8/2010)
95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Deep purple-ruby. Knockout nose of black cherry, minerals, coffee liqueur and violet offers uncommon depth and complexity. The flavors of blackberry, black plum and minerals are complicated by a note of iron and given wonderful clarity and cut by harmonious, vibrant acidity. Finishes very long and pure, with distinctive balsamic nuances. There's lots of sweet fleshy fruit here but the wine comes across as amazingly refined and graceful thanks to its vibrant acidity, which really extends the flavors at the back. The best young Certan of the last 12 or 15 years. (7/2012)
92 points Wine Spectator
Bright and ripe, with mouthfilling linzer torte and blackberry preserves pushed by black tea and toasty spice. This has the racy grip of the vintage, which builds steadily through the finish. Turns darker and denser with air. Best from 2014 through 2028. (3/2012)
Wine Description
The Story
The vineyard is planted in 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. At around five hectares, Certan de May is a tiny jewel poised between Vieux Château Certan and Petrus. It was very strong in the 1980's, then slipped a little through the 1990's. From 2005 onwards the estate has been back on track, producing elegant yet fleshy and flamboyant wines at a very reasonable price.
Vintage 2009
Much like 1947, 1961 and 2005, 2009 is a year of almost overly (for Bordeaux) flamboyant and opulent wines with high maturity and low acidity. The tannins are exceptionally ripe, while the wines are quite voluptuous in style. The Left Bank recorded more hours of sunshine than legendary vintages such as 1947 and 1982, and the grapes had higher sugar concentrations than in 2003 and 2005. The key was significant diurnal temperature variations that allowed the grapes to withstand hot daytime temperatures. An exceptional vintage on all levels.