Château Franc Mayne 2014

Lively raspberry and blackberry fruit is lined with a light brambly structure, picking up twinges of anise and fruitcake on the juicy, open finish. Drink now through 2024. 2,083 cases made.

92–94. Barrel Sample. Firm tannins mark this wine. It is dry, structured and shows signs of extraction, leaving bitterness. The contrast is with the fresh fruits and acidity that are in the background but will come forward with time as the wine develops.

Pungent and fruity with plum and strawberry character. Full body, lots of fruit and velvety tannins. Hiding a bit now but will open with two or three years of bottle age.

The 2014 Franc-Mayne is dark, supple and inviting. Succulent red cherry, plum, spice, blood orange and new leather are all pushed forward. The 2014 is quite expressive today, with lovely purity of fruit and fabulous balance. It should drink nicely with minimal cellaring.

Fresh red fruits with peppercorn tones, this is a forward-styled, medium-bodied wine, soft and approachable with a cherry and black raspberry finish. 88-89 Pts

Deep purple, rich in the core, with a garnet rim. A floral bouquet, leaning toward red-berry fruit, with a hint of walnut shell in the background. On the palate it’s full-bodied and dense, with a slightly firm, tannic finish. Unfortunately it’s come out a bit hard this year. But the fundamentals are sound.

Deep purple, concentrated at the core, with a garnet sheen at the rim. Floral bouquet with a red-berry fruit profile, showing a hint of walnut shell in the background. On the palate, ample and dense, with a slightly pithy finish. Unfortunately, this year it comes across a bit hard. But the fundamentals are sound.

Mineral, silky bouquet with blackcurrant, tobacco and slate notes. Powerful, classic palate with plenty of tannins, medium fruit, a muscular structure and a slightly austere finish. 17/20 2021 - 2034

Superb nose of blackberry bramble. The wine is broad on the attack with a fresh, refined mid-palate that is very typical of the plateau; the tannins are fine, with a delicate, very raspberry-driven finish. 7 ha. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.

Garnet-red with slightly purplish highlights. The bouquet of Franc-Mayne needs a little time to reveal itself. After a bit of aeration, the nose finally opens up to the taster. It delivers fruity aromas of prunes. The attack is elegant and focused. Then the palate takes over beautifully, with a well-balanced profile that so nicely combines slightly grainy tannins and a supportive structure. The latter is a touch discreet at first, but quickly finds its place once integrated. A real success for Franc-Mayne. Bravo.

A pleasant wine, with a fruity, silky body, though a touch light. Medium length.