Certan de May 2007

I liked this wine better from cask as it appears to have dried out quickly, which is a danger with many of these 2007s. Currently, the wine is very tannic, the extraction seems pushed, and the fruit appears to have fallen out. Nevertheless, there are attractive plum, earth, and spice characteristics in the complex aromatics, but lean, austere tannins kick in in the mouth. It has not turned out as well as I had hoped.

The 2007 Certan de May was rather disappointing on the nose compared to previous showings, seeming to have lost some of its fruitiness, replaced by tertiary, mushroom-like aromas that lack some delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, moderate acidity, quite masculine with some dryness creeping in on the attenuated finish. I would consume bottles in the near future. Tasted February 2017.
Drink Date 2017 - 2022

This is very nicely done for the vintage, with plenty of floral, mineral and fresh dark fruit character. Medium-to-full body, fine tannins and a clean, focused finish. Very impressive for the vintage

Extremely deep purple. Obviously ripe fruit (black fruit flavours) but with attractive fragrance too. Mouthfilling, very supple on the palate - relatively low in acidity. This is pretty flashy. I’d drink it fairly young because of the low acid, though the tannins will have to settle down first. Drink 2011-18

Deep ruby. Complex, showy nose offers cassis, licorice, minerals and fresh herbs. Sweet, suave and concentrated, with good breadth and moderate nuance to the dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors. No shortage of stuffing here but a bit clenched today on the back end. (A second sample finished with finer-grained tannins and more obvious aromatic persistence.)

Deep colour. Chocolaty, red berry notes, the oak a little assertive. Sweet fruited and supple on the palate but a touch drying on the finish. Drink 2012-2018. 3 stars.