1998 Certan De May

[Comte Flaneur]

Another drop dead gorgeous 1998 Pomerol from the get go, with similarities and differences with the 1998 VCC from a few weeks ago. It has a similarly thrilling attack of rich berry fruit overlaid with lush, ripe, Pomerol plummy-ness. But at this point the two wines diverge. The VCC evolves into a richly endowed powerhouse, with rich fruitcake notes, and a majestic finish, while the Certan De May is more medium- than full-bodied, with more emphasis on elegance and finesse, with cool tobacco notes, overtures of dark chocolate, but which finishes a tad short.

Both wines are absolutely merlot-dominated but the Certan De May is more relaxed with with a more languid, cool-fruited personality. It marries plummy lusciousness with elegance and refreshing saline notes. But the VCC will always be judged to be the better wine, given its power, concentration and persistence, which the CdM doesn't have. Qualitatively the wines have similarities and differences, but in aggregate they are not that far apart. The Certan De May is at its apogee now, and splendid. It's only weakness is it's somewhat short finish. The 1998 VCC has a longer life ahead of it.

[AKR]

Thanks, have a lone 98 waiting for the next BWE confab. The 82 that was at the big spring dinner in San Francisco was really awesome!

[dstgolf]

That 82 was stunning in the past but its now on its downward curve. The 98 sounds pretty good Ian. This is a pretty solid Pomerol.

[Blanquito]

Hard to believe Parker whiffed on this so badly, giving it an "86?".

[greatbxfreak]

dstgolf,

I had 1982 CdM in July last year and it was simply stunning.


Haven't had 1998 recently from both properties, who are very close neighbors.

Not so long ago I put profile of CDM on my website. I don't have sufficient TNs of late to write VCC profile. Every time I visit it I ask politely for tasting additional vintage, but they won't let me.

[AKR]

Hard to believe Parker whiffed on this so badly, giving it an "86?".

The earlier barrel TN's were pretty positive though. I just think its its hard to project these from very young wines.

[dstgolf]

GBfreak,

I/we helped my buddy through 2 cases of the 82 and I must have shared a case+ personally. Through the late 90s and early 2000s this was one of the most spectacular wines we've had the pleasure to drink. Around 2010 this took a noticeable decline still very good but a step or two behind where it was.

[JimHow]

Not that I've had a large number of bottles, but I guess I've never quite understood the fuss over Certain de May.

[Carlos Delpin]

Not that I've had a large number of bottles, but I guess I've never quite understood the fuss over Certain de May.

Jim, kind of shared your opinion until a 86 that we had a couple of Saturday's ago. It was magical.

[JimHow]

Listen to me talking like I'm some expert, I think I've had exactly two vintages of the wine.

[greatbxfreak]

JimHow,

Ian put the description of CdM perfectly and I agree 100% on his assumption and comparaison with VCC.

CDM is a great Pomerol and has almost ever been, except some dip down in late '90s and in early '00s era. 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016, excellent ones.

[Comte Flaneur]

My favourite ever is the 1985 vintage, same for L'Evangile

[Blanquito]

The 82 CdM is wonderful. The 01 is a great QPR. Not sure I've had any other vintages.

[Nicklasss]

Chateau Certan de May is not a wine we see often, i saw Petrus more regularly!. Like you, I did not had a lot of vintages, maybe just the 1982 and 2011. Both were excellent, complex, unusual, special.

That post about the 1998 remind me how the 2011 is special, and in a sense a great wine. I bought 2 bottles of the 2011 last night, due to that post.

The 2011 Chateaux Calon Segur and Certan de May are my greatest surprises of 2016, regarding red Bordeaux!

Nic

[Winona Chief]

I'm a fan of Certan de May. Love the 1982 - it's in a great place right now. I also liked the 1979 vintage, an under the radar but excellent Pomerol vintage. More recently, the 1998 CdM is very nice in a more elegant style.

Chris Bublitz

[Ognik]

@nicklasss
Any more input about 2011 CdM?
Would like to buy some @59€.
Best.

[Nicklasss]

Hi Ognik.

This is what I wrote on the July 31st, 2016, and encouraged me to buy some more :

"2011 Chateau Certan de May: a strange encounter. Kind of third type. Strong cheese crust and dung nose at first, for that very dark red wine. With air, what a change, black cherries, blackcurrants, smoke, truffles, strong earth mineral tones. In mouth, dark berries, black cherries, thick, sligthly austere merlot. Stron terrroir taste, iron, earth, but mixed with more blackberries, cola, unsweeted chocolate, cocoa and finally flowers. A very strong 2011 to me, but needs air. Some leftover for tomorrow but i'm already impressed by the strong personality of this wine. Tn: 93."

I liked the wine for the typicity, and it very own personnality. At 59€, you must buy a bottle.

Nic

[Ognik]

Thank you very much. Will buy some.
Best.