Franc Mayne 2022 (750ML)

93-94 JS / 92-94 JD / 93 DE / 92 JA / 89-91 WI

A fresh and bright pure merlot with velvety tannins. Always in place. Some salt and chalk, too. Medium to full body. Made from organically grown grapes. - James Suckling

Beautiful aromatics of red, blue, and black fruits, as well as tobacco and leafy herbs, emerge from the 2022 Château Franc Mayne, a youthful, unevolved, yet pure, concentrated 100% Merlot barrel sample. The tannins here are ripe and nicely integrated, and it has plenty of mid-palate depth as well as outstanding length, all pointing to this being a brilliant wine in the vintage. Tasted twice. - Jeb Dunnuck

Plump and nicely weighted on the palate. Lovely fragrance and black fruit characters which are clean and pure and inviting. The tannins are almost chewy, powdery and gently fleshy, well integrated, coating the mouth with a crushed stone, liquorice freshness that is really appealing. You can feel the power underneath, clearly concentrated but delivered with precision and detail. A touch 'hot' and spiced on the finish, but there's lots to like here. Still a little compact and reserved but excellent ageing potential. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

This is good quality, with depth to the smoked earth, sweet red and black fruits, fresh acidities of gooseberry and redcurrant, and smoky creme caramel notes together ith a bitter black chocolate signoff. The tannins close in showing the physiciality of the vintage. New team at Franc Mayne for the past couple of years. First year in organic certification. Thomas Duclos consultant since 2018. 50% new oak barrels and 50% of wooden casks and amphoras. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The 2022 Franc Mayne is deep garnet-purple in color. Lifted notes of black cherry preserves, redcurrant jelly, and prunes leap from the glass, followed by hints of rose oil and dark chocolate. The full-bodied palate is chock full of black fruit layers, supported by soft tannins and lively acidity, finishing long and spicy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent