Château Certan de May de Certan

The May family (or Demay), a branch of a noble family of Scotland, came to settle in France in the early Middle Ages. Its members took part in the wars that France went through. In the 16th century, they obtained the title of count for having risked their lives in the service of the King, and then came to settle in Guyenne, having been granted the land of Certan and its dependencies, the “right of primage in the surrounding country”, as well as the right to take the name “De May de Certan”, the title of the fief.
Since its arrival in Guyenne, this family has provided deputy lieutenants to the Présidial of Libourne, King’s prosecutors, King’s councillors, barristers at the Parliament, officers of the King’s Household and knights of Saint-Louis, one of the last of whom entered the service of King Louis XVI, passed to the Army of the Princes during the Terror, and obtained his reinstatement under Napoleon. He was one of the last knights of Saint-Louis entitled to a pension from the royal purse.
With an area of about 5 hectares, the château Certan de May de Certan vineyard lies entirely in the south-eastern part of the famous silica-clay plateau of Pomerol, which produces the best wines.
The grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are found there in proportions chosen to be the most favourable to the traditional characteristics of the appellation.
Average production is 20 barrels, aged and bottled at the château. The rational layout of the cellar allows vinifications using modern techniques, with respect for tradition. All the wines are put into casks from birth.
The ageing technique (choice of new casks, handling of the wines, etc.) and the length of ageing are directly linked to the characteristics of the vintages, in order to bring out their virtues and personality to the fullest.
The wines of château de Certan de May de Certan, born of quality vines and the attentive, meticulous and assiduous work of man, are rare Pomerols, likely to be very much appreciated young, but whose quality improves naturally with age. They accompany red meats and game remarkably well.
The Barreau-Badar family also owns, in the Lussac-Saint-Émilion appellation, château La Fleur Poitou; a wine of high standing, carefully aged in casks, which ranks among the great ones.