1982 Château Certan de May
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Tasting notes
The 1982 Certan de May is a little darker in colour than expected. Dark berry fruit, cedar and a touch of menthol indicate Right Bank origins in stark contrast to the preceding Grand-Puy-Lacoste. This is much more open but less complex aromatically. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. A little powdery in texture, it just fades on the finish like a runner who sprinted the first laps and did not leave enough for the last. Still, it is holding up pretty well. Tasted single blind at the 1982 dinner at Cornus in London.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Château Certan de May Pomerol 1982: This is a reminder of how great 1982 is for Pomerol. People talk about Petrus or Le Pin as benchmarks for the year (I prefer Lafleur) but this wine from Certan de May is very, very impressive. It shows an amazing complexity and subtlety with wonderful aromas and flavors of flowers and berries. It's full body with refined tannis and clean finish. Decant and serve.
I have been drinking this wine out of half bottle, and this was the first regular bottle I have had over recent years. While this Pomerol is loaded, it remains extremely backward - hence the lower score. I would not touch a bottle for another 5-8 years. The half bottles are tasting at least 4 to 5 points better, and are obviously much more evolved. The full bottle exhibited a dense plum/purple color along with notes of cedar, forest floor, sweet jammy plums, black currants, licorice, and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied and powerful with high tannins as well as a rustic, massive mouthfeel and finish, it should be fully mature by 2015, and keep until 2030+ Release price ($165.00/case)
Very, very deep crimson. Seems very Cabernet! Thick and dry and less penetrable than many 1982 Pomerols. Slightly furry. (JR)