Critic Notes
Wow. What a wine with incredible depth of fruit and generosity here. Walnut, chocolate, black olive and dark fruits. Full and rich. It goes on for minutes. Velvety texture. Best in decades. A majority of Merlot with some Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. Mar 2016, www.JamesSuckling.com
Score: 97-98 / 100James Suckling
A marked step up from the firmer 2014, this is another highlight of the Moueix line-up this year. Floral, cedary and very fine, this has a bit of extra grip from the small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, but is pure, textured pleasure on the palate. Apr 2016, www.timatkin.com, Drink: 2020-2030
Score: 95 / 100Tim Atkin MWDrinking Window: 2020-2030
The 2015 Certan de May is composed of 80% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc, displaying a medium garnet-purple color and nose of warm red cherries, mulberries, crushed red and black plums and raspberry leaves with nuances of wild thyme, dried roses, cloves and eucalypt. Medium to full-bodied and boasting great harmony in the mouth, the palate delivers loads of red and black fruit layers interspersed with floral and herb accents and framed by a firm, ripe, fine-grained backbone, finishing with wonderful length and freshness. Feb 2018, www.robertparker.com
Score: 95 / 100Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
The 2015 Certan de May is a powerful, imposing wine with notable tannic clout and plenty of energy. White pepper, blood orange and mint give the 2015 an attractive upper register of aromatic nuance, but it is the wine's sinewy, tense personality that is its most distinctive attribute. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2015 is going to need time to fully express. The blend is 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Apr 2016, www.Vinous.com
Score: 92-95 / 100Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Very fine this year. Elegant dark fruit nose with a hint of blueberry, blackcurrant and spice. A poised palate of delicious dark fruit and finely polished tannins. Long and harmonious on the finish. Apr 2016, James Lawther MW, www.Decanter.com, Drink: 3022-2035
Score: 93 / 100DecanterDrinking Window: 3022-2035
This has its usual silky, perfumed profile, with bergamot, cherry paste and rooibos tea notes, all backed by gentle sandalwood and fruitcake hints through the finish. Rounded and polished in feel, but long too, offering some fine-grained tannins. Mar 2016, James Molesworth, www.WineSpectator.com
Score: 91-94 / 100Wine Spectator
A Jean-Pierre Moueix wine. 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid crimson. Intense and meaty on the nose. Round and silky on the palate. Not a drama queen but really quite regal in floating above the hoi polloi. Chapeau! Notably persistent. Apr 2016, www.JancisRobinson.com, Drink: 2024-2040
Score: 17 / 20Jancis Robinson MWDrinking Window: 2024-2040
The 2015 Certan de May is a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a little leaner on the nose when I compared it directly to the Latour-à-Pomerol, much more reserved and personally, I was seeking more expression from the Cabernet components in the blend. The palate is medium-bodied with gently gripping tannin, quite "solid" in the mouth with a spicy finish following through, although it feels just a little static at the moment. It needs more animation to come through by the time it is in bottle. Apr 2016, www.eRobertParker.com, Drink: 2019-2032
Score: 89-91 / 100Neal MartinDrinking Window: 2019-2032
