Certan de May 2004

Tasted at the chateau. The Certan-de-May 2004 is more reticent on the nose than the 2003: blackcurrant wine gums and very fine minerality. The palate exhibits superb balance and typically fine tannins, the Cabernet lending it a sturdy backbone but supported by some ripe, beautifully poised Merlot. I adored this in primeur and in bottle it is fulfilling its promise. Crushed stones on the finish. Wonderful. Tasted September 2009.

Tannic, rough-hewn, and backward, but also dense and promising, this dark plum/purple-tinged 2004 offers notes of forest floor, roasted herbs, asphalt, sweet black cherries, and minerals. The complex aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied, tannic, muscular Pomerol that requires 3-4 years of bottle age. It should drink well for 15+ years.

Very dark crimson - unusually dark for a Moueix wine. Much more obviously modern and fleshy than other offerings from the Moueix stable. Velvety, round, a bit simple. Some hints of lilies and quite aggressive sweet blobby fruit. Not desperately refreshing on the finish. Oaked quite heavily. Drink 2009-2016. Date tasted 5th April 05.