Cellar Favorite:
1967 Certan de May

BY NEAL
MARTIN | NOVEMBER 24, 2025

Travelling
back in time, Bordeaux is full of lesser-known pockets of excellence—often dismissed
vintages where one or two appellations bucked the trend. Nineteen sixty-seven
is one of those. It’s a rum vintage on the Left Bank, yet Sauternes and Pomerol
produced a clutch of splendid wines that often leave you smiling. The 1967
Certan de May was opened at a recent lunch in Bouilland in Burgundy with
Russell Hone, husband of the late Becky Wasserman, the much-missed importer who
did so much to promote the wines of Burgundy’s grower domaines in their early
days.

<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1763996951244-CF_Nov242026.JPG">Showing
a little bricking on the rim, the 1967 Certan de May admittedly carries a bit
of volatility on the nose, yet there is plenty of freshness, with enticing
scents of black plums, menthol and truffle. The palate conveys a kind of
decayed opulence, a Pomerol weathered by time so that you ultimately end up
with a core of sweetness that has probably been there since birth. Smooth in
texture, the 1967 has disarming precocity, simple but in no way plain. The
finish is mellow, with hints of licorice tingling on the aftertaste. All the
joys of mature Pomerol are here, and what it lacks in sophistication is
compensated by vigour and charm. 91/Drink 2025-2035. © 2025, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or redistributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.

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