This Grand Cru Classe estate was purchased by the Savare family who took control in 2018. There are 17 acres separated into three geographic zones with five different soil types. Pierre Arnald is one of the key figures guiding the new vision at the property. Technical director Sophie Mage, working together with enologist Thomas Duclos, has restructured the wines revealing a fresher and more subtle style. It expresses “the richness of the different soil types” in each parcel. Duclos believes in a departure from the heavy handed, oak driven and super charged cult-like wines of the 1990’s

Chateau Franc Mayne showcases a more elegant, rich and distinguished style than in past. The 2019 Chateau Franc Mayne is composed of 100% Merlot and is opaque in color. At this point in time, the aromas are a bit shy with hints of fresh, crushed raspberries. There are exotic cherry spices, mulberry and soft graphite intertwined into the elegant core. It has supple and rounded edges that gently float across the palate. It remains perfectly balanced with ripe tannins that remind you of an era when the merlot-based wines of Bordeaux’s right Bank overshadowed all others. This is one of the top performers from the 2019 vintage.

By W Peter Hoyne