Round and easygoing with sweet tannin and early accessibility, the precociously formed 2012 Certan de May exhibits notes of bay leaves, black currants, black cherries and underbrush. Ripe and medium-bodied, it is made somewhat in the style of Latour a Pomerol, but slightly more herbaceous. I liked it for its depth, richness and early drinkability. Consume it over the next 10-12+ years. Drink: 2013 - 2025

Readers will know that I am a huge fan of Chateau Certan de May but neither sample of 2012 really held a flame to recent successes. The Certan-de-May has an open-knit bouquet that feels a little diffuse upon first acquaintance: it is not regimented, not focused like previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with a conservative, leafy opening that indicates some lots of fruit not quite at full ripeness. This is a more masculine Certan de May and it is missing weight on the finish. I hope that it may improve during its time in barrel. This is one of the few where I may prefer the 2011 over the 2012. Tasted April 2013.

Vineyard opposite Vieux Château Certan. Greyish dark crimson. Lightly spiced dark fruit, savoury on the nose then sweeter on the palate. Very smooth almost chalky tannins and a hint of stony flavour. Lightish and soft in the middle. Almost too gentle. Too many edges taken off? Too polished? Drink: 2015-2020 (JH)