Typically a blend of Merlot (2/3), Cabernet Franc (1/4) and a little bit of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in predominantly new barriques. 13% alcohol.
Evolved, translucent maroon color with the hue of dried blood. The nose feels pungent, oxidative and very tertiary with aged aromas of beef jerky, some soy sauce, a little bit of malty Barley Wine, light autumnal notes of damp leaves, a hint of earth and a touch of cranberry sauce. The wine feels old, pungent and oxidative on the palate with a medium body and tired flavors of licorice, sharp nutty notes of rancio, some salty notes of soy sauce, a little bit of beef jerky and hints of sous-bois and damp leaves. The wine is high in acidity but all the tannins have fully resolved and the wine shows no tannic grip. The finish is dry, old and oxidative with a long aftertaste of soy sauce, some beef jerky, a little bit of earth, light licorice tons, a hint of malty character and a touch of wizened red fruit.
This was just completely over the hill. The wine has gotten so oxidative that it isn't even an enjoyable, anonymous tertiary wine - just a mere husk of what might've been a more impressive Pomerol at some point in the paste. 110€ down the drain.
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A classic Pomerol sitting in just the right phase of maturity - mixed berries, game, Périgord truffle. Medium body, silky tannin, fresh. Finishes well. This is just the right time to catch the 95 Certan de May.
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Tasted blind. Initially I thought it was Italian. Huge concentration and acidity, plum confiture, hints of bacon. Amazing to find out it’s this old - still kicking and has more than a decade ahead.
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The Certan maintains its youth despite having 26 years in the bottle, offering up plum, graphite, camphor, black tea and finessed tannins - definitely recommend decanting and opened up after 2+ hours. I don’t think this will age more and it’s a wonderful relative value from Pomerol. Lovely. #94points. Maybe there’s more bottle variation in this vintage as I can’t understand the ‘blah’ from some of the reviews below.
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Red cassis and plum fruit. The fruit is mature. Fruit is followed by dried herbs and toasted oak. Wine is integrated, but remains a bit rustic. This is very good Pomerol that is aging nicely.
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Decanted 3 hrs. Cork perfect. Beautiful Bx colour, brilliant, touches of brown on edges. Large bq w raspberries, slightly toasted oak, herbs (the CF shining through?), laurel leaves. Medium+ body, a slight drying out of fruit, Lovely structure w rounded tannins and fresh acidity. Very well balanced. Long aftertaste w some complexity. Lovely!!
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First try with this winemaker and excited based on reviews. The cork was in great shape with no dryness or cracking. At first pour, the wine revealed a brick like color and not so fragrant nose. Although it drank better with air, the wine itself revealed passed it's prime contrary to other reviews. Very long note but the overall taste was similar to a CDP (odd I know) and not like a Merlot based wine.
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Fantastic showing, fruit has a nice mixedbof primary and secondary notes, plums, dried dark berries, spices, earth and perfume, rustic palate with surprisingly high acid feel, and a nice long finish, still a bit tannic which I expect will integrate and soften over the next decade or so
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Fantastic pom. More tannic and edgier than older Certans like the 86’s were 10 yrs ago. Still, has that typical ripe summer stone fruit taste of a well made pomerol. Mix of plum, pluot, and cherry but higher on acidity than usual. Good stuff. Drink now or hold for 5-10 more years.
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Perfect fill and cork, but there’s a light brown on the rim when pouring that gives pause. The nose confirms the color, there’s some oxidation. The palate is better, but this bottle either saw some heat along the way (despite the pristine appearance) or this wine is in serious decline.
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Medium purple color, lightening up a little towards the rim. Notes of black olives, plum, graphite, cedar wood, some irish moss some animalic notes and dark chocolate and black tea. It's medium-full bodied with medium+ tannin and medium acidity. The tannin has a touch of green. Good length. An old-school Pomerol that is drinking nicely now.
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Slightly opaque Ruby/Purple with only a hint of orange at the rim and if put against the light source.. zero brown. Unbricked and as youthful as the 05 Calon we had at lunch...
Fresh If Reticent Nose of camphor, cedar, black currants, stewed plums. Enticing Whiffs of red/blue forest berries increase with air. Hints of muddy calfskin boots-or bloody driving gloves. [This wine if well kept has a easily a decade plus. She is not yet, but close to peak power; good legs & evident tannins remain which bite back when chain sipped.]
Medium Body.
Palate Strong speaking now of damp sugar-pine, of black fruits, some singed plums, September and Steel. (Palate strongly reinforces the relative youth of this cuvée. Also: It is one time suggested that more currant than conifer meets the tongue, and twice said that my Columbian Flu doth skew my palate from plum to pine.) Notes of grilled strawberry, mushrooms, mud.
Advise a 4 hr decant, do Drink or With Complete Confidence: Hold!
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Good appearance. Purple has bled to browns given the age. Heavy bottle sediment noted. Decanted for 45 min but the wines complexity emerged after 90 min. Probably just past peak for some. Fruit has mellowed into secondary flavors. Medium length, short legs. Notes of pencil lead and crushed flowers. Great bottle but likely would've preferred not waiting this long to drink it.
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I missed the typical Pomerol plums this time, making this a bit anonymous. Very nice fresh fruit, however. My third vintage of Certan de May (95, 98 and 2008), and I'm not quite convinced, especially since these vintages should be excellent for Pomerol.
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Slow oxed for 3 hours in the bottle. This bottle of 1995 Certan De May is drinking at its plateau. Iodine, pencil shaving, plums, prunes and black fruit on the nose. The palate is tannic whiich is typical for a 95 bordeaux. Decent black and blue fruit in a more earthy tone. The mid palate and after taste were a bit austere. Drink up.
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Mature beautiful Pomerol in its prime. It has ruby color; aromas of dried red fruits/berries, strawberry jam, a bit of mushroom; yummy pallet of figs and dried cherry with hints of brie cheese. It is well rounded, with noticeable, but soft/integrated tannins, medium acidity, and long finish. This wine can easily stay in the cellar for another 5 years, but fully enjoyable now.
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Slightly browned medium garnet. Fairly neutral nose of alcohol, red berries, and distant cocoa powder. Sour strawberry, some blackberry and bramble. Very light texture. Really opens up with time - I would recommend a minimum of two hours, and would drink it now or in the near future.
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My second old school Pomerol this week. Chewy, slightly tannic, with very elegant, cool, plummy, fruit, however, this can not quite compete with a producer like Trotanoy. 92-93 pts. This bottle had been open for 24 hrs. Decant 2-3 hours or wait 2-3 years. Absolutely no sign of dryness.
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Nice notes of earth, tobacco, green peppers and dried plum, palate is still quite fruity though a touch hard with plum pepper and smoke notes, tannins are nicely integrated and medium acidity help keep it alive
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This is a fascinating wine. Extremely powerful nose that initially dominates. The early palette is a little leady. More like a Paulliac than a Pomerol. But then over about 2-3 hours it opens and integrates and the later half of the magnum is all fruit and flavour. Quite inky in texture it paints a great picture. Lovely wine. A WINNER
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Nose of scorched earth at the very beginning, then we have caramel, dried fruits, particularly the dried apricot and a touch of autumn leaves, dried herbs and tobacco! Very complex! Quite sweet on the palate but rather austere!! In my case, it is at it's peak! Rather brick in color and not very deep! At the end, it has a lot of powder sediment! The charm is came from it's complex nose! 89 points to 90 points!
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Bought from Bibendum in bin end and it was dead. The nose was port-like and very off-putting, shame was the flavours were not absurdly off when i pinched my nose to test.
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Light brick color showing some aging; nose earthy, plum,cocoa and tobacco; on the palate just a hint of fruit predominantly plum and blackberries followed by dark chocolate and tobacco. Drinking nicel nowy but I think it isstarting to head down.
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Robe foncée au centre rubis. Nez présentant un léger défaut (aucune trace en bouche). Semble être un peu madérisé. En bouche, c'est sur les fruits rouges, notes épicés, assez en finesse, intéressant. Mais bon, le vin n'est pas clair. Dommage, aurait pu être toute une fiole.
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This Bordeaux wine offers an earthy, black fruit, tobacco and spice nose. Medium/full bodied and with a hint of austerity, the already mature wine ends with soft dark and red fruits along with a hint of green flavors. This is not my favorite style of Pomerol due to its hard edges. This should probably be drunk up sooner than later.
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Distinctive but somewhat watery red cherry fruit; tart, with still a fair amount of tannin, giving the odd impression of being at once still too young and yet somehow faded & past its prime.
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With some fruit and aromatics, this medium bodied wine is not without merit. But if you're looking for a true Pomerol experience, this vintage of Certan de May is not going to deliver it.
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Moderately advanced color. Big, open, sweet, juicy nose of red cherry, plum, tobacco and game. Aside from some green tannins, this wine found excellent balance. Drinking well right now, but will probably smooth out and enter its prime over the next five. 50+4+13+18+9=94
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12/23/2023 - The Wine Monkeys wrote: 88 Points
Decent but not memorable. My experience was more on par with Lzach’s note.
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2/13/2023 - forceberry wrote: flawed
Typically a blend of Merlot (2/3), Cabernet Franc (1/4) and a little bit of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in predominantly new barriques. 13% alcohol.
Evolved, translucent maroon color with the hue of dried blood. The nose feels pungent, oxidative and very tertiary with aged aromas of beef jerky, some soy sauce, a little bit of malty Barley Wine, light autumnal notes of damp leaves, a hint of earth and a touch of cranberry sauce. The wine feels old, pungent and oxidative on the palate with a medium body and tired flavors of licorice, sharp nutty notes of rancio, some salty notes of soy sauce, a little bit of beef jerky and hints of sous-bois and damp leaves. The wine is high in acidity but all the tannins have fully resolved and the wine shows no tannic grip. The finish is dry, old and oxidative with a long aftertaste of soy sauce, some beef jerky, a little bit of earth, light licorice tons, a hint of malty character and a touch of wizened red fruit.
This was just completely over the hill. The wine has gotten so oxidative that it isn't even an enjoyable, anonymous tertiary wine - just a mere husk of what might've been a more impressive Pomerol at some point in the paste. 110€ down the drain.
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7/19/2022 - englishman's claret wrote: 93 Points
A classic Pomerol sitting in just the right phase of maturity - mixed berries, game, Périgord truffle. Medium body, silky tannin, fresh. Finishes well. This is just the right time to catch the 95 Certan de May.
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3/31/2022 - Rani Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted blind. Initially I thought it was Italian. Huge concentration and acidity, plum confiture, hints of bacon. Amazing to find out it’s this old - still kicking and has more than a decade ahead.
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12/24/2021 - eporres Likes this wine: 94 Points
The Certan maintains its youth despite having 26 years in the bottle, offering up plum, graphite, camphor, black tea and finessed tannins - definitely recommend decanting and opened up after 2+ hours. I don’t think this will age more and it’s a wonderful relative value from Pomerol. Lovely. #94points. Maybe there’s more bottle variation in this vintage as I can’t understand the ‘blah’ from some of the reviews below.
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12/11/2021 - lzach wrote:
Last of twelve--plenty of tannins still left, but very little fruit. A lot of great memories from earlier bottles. One of the great Pomerols.
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11/25/2021 - starkravingmad Does not like this wine: 70 Points
flat, well past it's prime. funky musty aroma
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5/11/2021 - Jay A wrote: 92 Points
Red cassis and plum fruit. The fruit is mature. Fruit is followed by dried herbs and toasted oak. Wine is integrated, but remains a bit rustic. This is very good Pomerol that is aging nicely.
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2/29/2020 - Leto South wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 3 hrs. Cork perfect. Beautiful Bx colour, brilliant, touches of brown on edges. Large bq w raspberries, slightly toasted oak, herbs (the CF shining through?), laurel leaves. Medium+ body, a slight drying out of fruit, Lovely structure w rounded tannins and fresh acidity. Very well balanced. Long aftertaste w some complexity. Lovely!!
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6/17/2019 - dankgummy wrote: 86 Points
First try with this winemaker and excited based on reviews. The cork was in great shape with no dryness or cracking. At first pour, the wine revealed a brick like color and not so fragrant nose. Although it drank better with air, the wine itself revealed passed it's prime contrary to other reviews. Very long note but the overall taste was similar to a CDP (odd I know) and not like a Merlot based wine.
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4/21/2019 - eoinhharkins wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic showing, fruit has a nice mixedbof primary and secondary notes, plums, dried dark berries, spices, earth and perfume, rustic palate with surprisingly high acid feel, and a nice long finish, still a bit tannic which I expect will integrate and soften over the next decade or so
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12/2/2018 - AJCowen Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic pom. More tannic and edgier than older Certans like the 86’s were 10 yrs ago. Still, has that typical ripe summer stone fruit taste of a well made pomerol. Mix of plum, pluot, and cherry but higher on acidity than usual. Good stuff. Drink now or hold for 5-10 more years.
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3/17/2018 - blanquito wrote:
Perfect fill and cork, but there’s a light brown on the rim when pouring that gives pause. The nose confirms the color, there’s some oxidation. The palate is better, but this bottle either saw some heat along the way (despite the pristine appearance) or this wine is in serious decline.
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3/5/2018 - Dvogt wrote: 94 Points
Wood is still very prominent. Underlying flayors of black cherry, camphor, mushroom and pencil shavings. Probably can go longer.
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12/24/2017 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium purple color, lightening up a little towards the rim. Notes of black olives, plum, graphite, cedar wood, some irish moss some animalic notes and dark chocolate and black tea. It's medium-full bodied with medium+ tannin and medium acidity. The tannin has a touch of green. Good length. An old-school Pomerol that is drinking nicely now.
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7/17/2017 - jdtonic Likes this wine: 94 Points
Perfect bottle- 2 hour decant.
Slightly opaque Ruby/Purple with only a hint of orange at the rim and if put against the light source.. zero brown. Unbricked and as youthful as the 05 Calon we had at lunch...
Fresh If Reticent Nose of camphor, cedar, black currants, stewed plums. Enticing Whiffs of red/blue forest berries increase with air.
Hints of muddy calfskin boots-or bloody driving gloves.
[This wine if well kept has a easily a decade plus. She is not yet, but close to peak power; good legs & evident tannins remain which bite back when chain sipped.]
Medium Body.
Palate Strong speaking now of damp sugar-pine, of black fruits, some singed plums, September and Steel. (Palate strongly reinforces the relative youth of this cuvée. Also: It is one time suggested that more currant than conifer meets the tongue, and twice said that my Columbian Flu doth skew my palate from plum to pine.)
Notes of grilled strawberry, mushrooms, mud.
Advise a 4 hr decant, do
Drink or With Complete Confidence: Hold!
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3/29/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: flawed
Badly maderised.
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3/12/2017 - lmbernstein Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good appearance. Purple has bled to browns given the age. Heavy bottle sediment noted. Decanted for 45 min but the wines complexity emerged after 90 min. Probably just past peak for some. Fruit has mellowed into secondary flavors. Medium length, short legs. Notes of pencil lead and crushed flowers. Great bottle but likely would've preferred not waiting this long to drink it.
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9/10/2016 - Sundbyberg wrote: 92 Points
I missed the typical Pomerol plums this time, making this a bit anonymous. Very nice fresh fruit, however.
My third vintage of Certan de May (95, 98 and 2008), and I'm not quite convinced, especially since these vintages should be excellent for Pomerol.
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2/25/2016 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 90 Points
Slow oxed for 3 hours in the bottle. This bottle of 1995 Certan De May is drinking at its plateau. Iodine, pencil shaving, plums, prunes and black fruit on the nose. The palate is tannic whiich is typical for a 95 bordeaux. Decent black and blue fruit in a more earthy tone. The mid palate and after taste were a bit austere. Drink up.
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10/17/2015 - martin_e Likes this wine: 96 Points
Mature beautiful Pomerol in its prime. It has ruby color; aromas of dried red fruits/berries, strawberry jam, a bit of mushroom; yummy pallet of figs and dried cherry with hints of brie cheese. It is well rounded, with noticeable, but soft/integrated tannins, medium acidity, and long finish. This wine can easily stay in the cellar for another 5 years, but fully enjoyable now.
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6/14/2015 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 89 Points
Slightly browned medium garnet. Fairly neutral nose of alcohol, red berries, and distant cocoa powder. Sour strawberry, some blackberry and bramble. Very light texture. Really opens up with time - I would recommend a minimum of two hours, and would drink it now or in the near future.
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2/20/2015 - Sundbyberg wrote: 93 Points
My second old school Pomerol this week. Chewy, slightly tannic, with very elegant, cool, plummy, fruit, however, this can not quite compete with a producer like Trotanoy. 92-93 pts.
This bottle had been open for 24 hrs. Decant 2-3 hours or wait 2-3 years.
Absolutely no sign of dryness.
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1/24/2015 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent wine that can still age 20+ years. Complex, balanced and quite long. A lot better than the Vieux-Chateau-Certan 2001 we had the same night.
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11/23/2014 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice notes of earth, tobacco, green peppers and dried plum, palate is still quite fruity though a touch hard with plum pepper and smoke notes, tannins are nicely integrated and medium acidity help keep it alive
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5/21/2014 - pekingunther Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a fascinating wine. Extremely powerful nose that initially dominates. The early palette is a little leady. More like a Paulliac than a Pomerol. But then over about 2-3 hours it opens and integrates and the later half of the magnum is all fruit and flavour. Quite inky in texture it paints a great picture. Lovely wine. A WINNER
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9/13/2013 - redknife Does not like this wine: 83 Points
way over the hill; fruit is pretty much gone. Tertiary aromas predominate and whatever was left was gone in less than a couple of hours
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3/8/2012 - Tao wrote: 90 Points
Nose of scorched earth at the very beginning, then we have caramel, dried fruits, particularly the dried apricot and a touch of autumn leaves, dried herbs and tobacco! Very complex! Quite sweet on the palate but rather austere!! In my case, it is at it's peak! Rather brick in color and not very deep! At the end, it has a lot of powder sediment! The charm is came from it's complex nose! 89 points to 90 points!
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12/16/2011 - soyhead wrote: 92 Points
3rd Annual Best of Bordeaux vs Kings of Kalifornia (PRIMA, Walnut Creek): tasted blind, (wine#12)
nose - poopy, earth
mouth - cranberry, cherry, earth, nice tannins, good complexity, Steve found the finish lacking.
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5/30/2011 - stephanm wrote: flawed
Bought from Bibendum in bin end and it was dead. The nose was port-like and very off-putting, shame was the flavours were not absurdly off when i pinched my nose to test.
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10/23/2010 - redknife wrote: 93 Points
Light brick color showing some aging; nose earthy, plum,cocoa and tobacco; on the palate just a hint of fruit predominantly plum and blackberries followed by dark chocolate and tobacco. Drinking nicel nowy but I think it isstarting to head down.
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10/7/2010 - soyhead wrote: 90 Points
nose- earty, funky, per Jeff coffee, per john raspberry
mouth - a dirty taste, per jeff strawberry and cassis
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8/29/2010 - Opusone99 wrote:
Robe foncée au centre rubis. Nez présentant un léger défaut (aucune trace en bouche). Semble être un peu madérisé. En bouche, c'est sur les fruits rouges, notes épicés, assez en finesse, intéressant. Mais bon, le vin n'est pas clair. Dommage, aurait pu être toute une fiole.
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6/5/2010 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
This Bordeaux wine offers an earthy, black fruit, tobacco and spice nose. Medium/full bodied and with a hint of austerity, the already mature wine ends with soft dark and red fruits along with a hint of green flavors. This is not my favorite style of Pomerol due to its hard edges. This should probably be drunk up sooner than later.
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4/24/2009 - jaimerae wrote: 94 Points
I would hold at least another 2-3 years
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2/8/2009 - Niagara wrote: 88 Points
Distinctive but somewhat watery red cherry fruit; tart, with still a fair amount of tannin, giving the odd impression of being at once still too young and yet somehow faded & past its prime.
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3/17/2008 - Jeff Leve wrote: 85 Points
With some fruit and aromatics, this medium bodied wine is not without merit. But if you're looking for a true Pomerol experience, this vintage of Certan de May is not going to deliver it.
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5/12/2006 - burningstarIV wrote: 94 Points
Moderately advanced color. Big, open, sweet, juicy nose of red cherry, plum, tobacco and game. Aside from some green tannins, this wine found excellent balance. Drinking well right now, but will probably smooth out and enter its prime over the next five. 50+4+13+18+9=94
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