Certan De May de Certan '82 & '85 (Pomerol, Bordeaux, France)

In the 1500s, the De May family purchased land in the Pomerol area and laid the foundations for their estate. Following the economic effects of the French Revolution, in 1858 the large estate was broken up into 'Petit Certan' (now 'Chateau Certan De May de Certan'), Vieux Certan, and Chateau Certan-Giraud. De May de Certan's 5 hectares fall between Petrus land, Le Pin,  & the vineyards of Vieux Certan. Through 1925 the Certan de May de Certan estate remained in the hands of the De May family, until Andre Badar purchased the property. Current owner Odette Barreau-Badar's children run the estate, which is managed by her son Jean-Luc Badar. Jean-Luc believes that the 1982 is one of the family's best wines.  

In the vineyards, soils are 1/3 clay & 2/3 gravel; and plantings are 70% merlot, 25% cabernet franc, & 5% cabernet sauvignon. 


Chateau Certan De May de Certan 1982
rich, meaty, taught center, sinew, mushrooms, an earthy vegetal complexity like brussels sprouts

Chateau Certan De May de Certan 1985 
BBQ sauce, orange zest, raw beef, oak backbone, lots of power, dried currant fruit

Bibliography
Coates, Clive. (2004). The Wines of Bordeaux. California: University of California. p348.
Varaine, Florence. (n.d.) Sommeliers International. Chateau Certan De May: A Strong Personality.