The 2021 Château Certan de May is a distinguished red wine from Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious right-bank appellations. Situated on the famed Pomerol plateau, Château Certan de May traces its origins to the 18th century and shares a neighbourhood with some of the region's most celebrated estates. Despite its relatively modest size, the château has earned a reputation for producing wines that combine the richness and charm of Pomerol with notable structure and ageing potential.

The estate's vineyards are planted on a mosaic of gravel, clay and iron-rich soils, terroirs that are particularly well suited to Merlot, supported by smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The cooler and more classical 2021 vintage produced wines with freshness, precision and moderate alcohol levels, highlighting vineyard character and balance rather than sheer power.

"The 2021 Certan de May has also turned out nicely in bottle, bursting with attractive aromas of dark berries, cassis, licorice and fruitcake, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and dynamic palate with good depth of fruit, supple tannins and impressive length on the finish. As readers may remember, this Merlot-dominant blend incorporates fully 37% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, a figure that reflects the vintage (which favored these varieties) as well as a tendency to replant with Cabernet rather than Merlot over the last decade. - Wine Advocate

The 2021 Certan de May was picked from September 27 to October 11. There is a touch of herbaceousness on the nose here, a leitmotif of recent vintages that has left me perplexed in warmer growing seasons, though it’s more understandable in this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and modest depth; no greenness here, but there is a welcome touch of pepper toward the finish. This is an improvement for a Pomerol that can hit the ball out of the park if so inclined. - Vinous