Tasting Notes
James Suckling 93-94
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.
Jane Anson 92
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.
Vinous 93-95
The 2022 Franc Mayne (100% Merlot) is superb. Dense and ripe, the 2022 impresses with its energy and overall tension. I especially admire the energy here. Dark fruit, gravel cedar and tobacco, with blood orange and rose petal accents. This could turn out to be special.
Robert Parker 93-95
Superb as the 2020 was, the 2022 Franc-Mayne appears to represent still another step up in quality for this seven-hectare clay-limestone terroir. Offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, raw cocoa, violets and bay leaf, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a pure and vibrant core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. The label marks this estate’s first year of organic certification.
The Wine Independent 89-91
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.
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94
Beautiful aromatics of red, blue, and black fruits, as well as tobacco and leafy herbs, emerge from the 2022 Chateau 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.