The 2022 Grand Mayne is a big, heady wine. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather and licorice open in an ample, explosive Saint-Émilion loaded with character. Blood orange, spice, menthol and mocha appear later, adding aromatic lift and vibrancy to play off all that richness. There's certainly a lot of wine here. Gorgeous. Tasted two times.
Blackberries, black olives and blueberries with crushed-stone character on both the nose and palate. It’s medium-bodied with chewy tannins and a creamy texture. Extremely well-made. Best after 2030.
TWI
95pts
The Wine Independent
A deliciously inviting nose, with dark and perfumed fruits, blackcurrant, blackberry and damson, with smoky crushed chalk, rose petal and toast, as well as a touch of honeyed oak. The palate builds on this start with a broad, textural and rather seductive texture, immediately presenting a rich tobacco-infused bed of fruit, with a ripe but gripping tannic structure and a fresh sense of energy. Lots of powdery tobacco oak here, but great fruit and energy beneath it, and the floral intensity of the fruit is coping well with it. Great structure and drive, and given time this should be great. A return to form for Grand Mayne, perhaps not at the level of that fabulous 1998, but getting there. Tasted three times.
The 2022 Château Grand Mayne checks in as 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, and it hit 14.5% alcohol, which is well with normal ranges. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a concentrated, richly textured, balanced wine that has ample chocolate, red and black fruit, subtle leather, graphite, and sappy herbs and floral nuances. With medium to full body, ripe tannins, and outstanding length, it's beautifully done and has a terrific mix of finesse, elegance, and concentration.
Liquorice, tobacco and clove - some spiced notes on the nose with blackcurrants. Smells plush. Supple and cool, excellent freshness combined with a silky, smooth texture that has grip too. You get flesh, pulp, salty minerality, and bitter chocolate with some bitter orange and blackcurrant leaf. Feels complex and characterful, dark and serious no doubt, this is not bright and vibrant like some, it’s more deep but totally seductive. A bit old school with toasted elements, a little fully charged and full, lacking a tiny bit more finesse overall - I wish this was a little more lifted but this is an enjoyable wine.
Bold black fruits and ripe tannins show well in this wine with its hints of chocolate. It is a structured wine, the toast aroma showing the wood aging. Drink the wine from 2028.
More oaky and firm than it was during the en primeur tasting, the 2022 Grand Mayne reveals an oaky, introverted bouquet of oak, spices, espresso roast and dark berries. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it has a fleshy core of fruit and an assertive, youthful tannic frame that segues into a long yet firm and somewhat dry finish. This is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.
Winery Notes
A wine must reflect its terroir, its origins. We strongly believe that the uniqueness of the vineyard’s location is fundamental in the conception of a great wine. There can never be a great wine without a great vineyard." Jean-Antoine & Damien NONY In this respect, the wines of Château Grand Mayne are completely expressive of their place of origin. They are proud representatives of the best terroirs of the western hillside and foot of St. Émilion, composed of clay and limestone. A subtle blend of merlot and cabernet franc, the wines of Grand Mayne combine the power of fruit, elegant tension and finesse. Known for their excellent ageing potential, the recent vintages of Château Grand Mayne are now more open and accessible in their early years.