Château Certan de May is located in Pomerol on Bordeaux’s right bank. Red wines are made under the Pomerol AOC.

Owner: EARL Château Certan de May. Jean-Luc Barreau succeeding Mme Odette Barreau-Badar.

History: The de May family, who settled in France from Scotland in the Middle Ages, were gifted the estate by royal decree in the 16th century as a gesture of thanks for services rendered to the crown of France. The Demay were the first to receive royal permission to grow vines in Pomerol. The original Certan domaine, which encompassed the present Vieux-Château-Certan and Certan-Giraud as well Certan-de-May, is the oldest vignoble in the district. The estate began producing wine in the 18th century and was managed by descendants of the de May de Certans until 1925, when it passed to the Barreau family.

Vineyards: 5.5 hectares (13.5 acres). 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc (‘Bouchet’). 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Terroir: Situated on Pomerol’s prized central plateau, south-west of Pétrus and next to Vieux Château Certan and Château La Fleur-Pétrus. Soil composition is a combination of clay and deep gravel.

Winemaking: In 1996 hand picked, grapes direct to de-stemmer, sometimes yeasted, stainless steel, MLF on marc, Darnajou barrels. 28ºC fermentation. Long cold maceration as the fruit is ‘fin’ meaning (I think in this case) delicate. Vinified under the guidance Michel Rolland until 2012 and Jean-Claude Berrouet since the 2013 vintage.

Red wines

Pomerol AOC, Croix de Certan: The second wine.

Pomerol AOC, Château Certan de May: ‘Verging towards Pétrus in richness and concentration,’ (Hugh Johnson Wine Companion: 1991, p.94).

Contact

Château Certan de May

Catusseau, F-33500 Pomerol, France

Tel+33 (0)5.57.51.41.53

Bibliography

Visit in to the winery 1996 with Richard Kershaw MW.