It's hard to beat the location of this estate - right opposite Vieux Château Certan, in that magic triangle by Le Pin and Petrus. Flavours of cold ash, cedar, liquorice, slate, damson and black cherry are set off with a pulse of minerality. I just love this wine, it's wonderfully rich and expressive. and yet young, poised and held back. A physically exciting wine with tension, making it so easy to recommend. (JA)

The 2016 Certan de May is a powerful, dense wine, just as it was en primeur. A blast of grilled herbs, leather, smoke, tobacco, licorice and dark-fleshed fruits makes a strong opening statement. Potent and strap in feel, Certan de May shows the more virile side of Pomerol. The profile is decidedly sepia-toned. Readers should plan on being patient with the 2016. It is a jewel of a wine that just needs bottle age to be at its best. (AG)

A blend of 65% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Certan de May offers up notes of wild blueberries, black cherries and raspberry leaves with hints of black tea, roses and tar. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a wonderful quiet intensity of blue, red and black fruits plus a fine-grained backbone and superb freshness, delivery and very long, mineral-tinged finish. (LPB) 94+