Chateau Franc Mayne 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "A tight and bright young Franc Mayne with blackberry, currant and orange-peel character. It’s medium-bodied with linear tannins and a vivid finish. Polished character here."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The wine is rich, supple, long, and fresh with a depth of flavor, strong floral edge, and vibrant, fruit-filled finish accented with licorice, and chocolate notes. The wine was made from 100% Merlot. Drink from 2027-2045."

JEB DUNNUCK: "All Merlot raised in 50% new barrels and 50% foudre and amphora, the 2023 Château Franc Mayne sports a healthy ruby/purple hue as well as attractive aromatics of ripe black cherries, red plums, iron, smoked earth, and chocolate. Medium-bodied on the palate, it brings solid depth of fruit and concentration, has building yet finely polished tannins, and the juicy, lively, yet ripe style of the vintage. Tasted twice."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Exhibiting aromas of raspberries, sweet cherries, baking spices and licorice, the 2023 Franc-Mayne is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with good depth at the core, a suave, seamless profile and a mineral, mouthwatering finish."

VINUM: "Expressiv, steinig, kühl, Kirschen, Himbeeren, verspielt; straffer Auftakt, gradlinig, mittelkräftig, mit pudrigem Tannin und einem herben Finiale; endet auf Blutorangen, zeigt Charakter."

DECANTER: "With appealing aromas of ripe dark fruit, raspberry jam, orange rind and coffee bean, this wine – 100% Merlot ageing 16 months in 50% new oak barrels – offers fine texture, albeit somewhat larger grained tannins than the top St-Emilion Grand Cru Classé wines. There is a bit of a mouth puckering aspect to the finish, but the savoury mid palate and juiciness bode well for the barrel ageing to arrange matters."

FALSTAFF: „Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach reifen Herzkirschen und Pflaumen, ein Hauch von Nugat und Vanille. Mittlerer Körper, rotbeerig, ein Hauch von Ribisel, dezente Tannine, mineralisch, salzig, zarter Schokoladetouch im Nachhall."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2023 Franc Mayne is 100% Merlot and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It races out with invigorating red berry scents of raspberries and redcurrants, followed by hints of rose oil, cedar chest, and graphite. The medium-bodied palate has lovely tension and rounded tannins supporting the vibrant red fruit, finishing with a skip in its step."