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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 1988
The first of a trio of great vintages and which was rather overshadowed by the 89s and 90s. Certainly the most "classic" of the trio, with many wines which are not overtly fruit-focused, but which have levels of extract and concentration which make them perfect candidates for prolonged storage.
The first half of the year was exceptionally cold and wet and the vintage was saved by a long, dry and hot summer. Harvest began in mid-September an...