“The jewel of the family: 5.6 hectares of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc planted on siliceous-gravelly soils with a clay subsoil. It stands out for its consistency. With the 2014 vintage, it reaches new heights. Its strengths? A deep, youthful color verging on black; an expressive and charming bouquet blending ripe berries, morello cherry, the gentle spices of subtle oak, and above all that touch of violet typical of Pomerol; a full-bodied, dense, generous, and harmonious palate that echoes the nose’s profile, with that mineral note and the stone fruit accents characteristic of gravel wines; and a beautiful, soaring finish, underscored by elegant tannins. Class at a reasonable price.” (Le Guide Hachette des Vins 2018)
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Eye
Deep garnet color
Nose
Expressive and pleasant, with ripe red and black berries, morello cherry, mild spices, and woody notes, along with a floral hint of violet
Palate
A beautiful fabric—soft and substantial, with a lovely texture.
Serve
At 17–18°C
Drink starting at
2018
Drink before
2030
Food and Wine Pairings
It pairs perfectly with suckling lamb, braised beef, beef en croûte, and its gravy...
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated (2018 guide) 15,5/20 (Very good wine)
Rated Estate (2015 Guide) Selected (An estate or winery that impressed us with one or more of its wines, though we are unable to offer a general assessment of the style of its entire lineup)
About the wine:
A beautiful breadth on the palate, supported by a structure that is both straightforward and elegant.
About the estate:
Pomerol is brimming with little-known gems that, at their best, easily rival the wines of its most prestigious châteaux. Just a stone’s throw from L’Évangile, the Maillet sector slopes gently toward the little Barbane stream that separates Pomerol from Néac, home to a few charming small-scale estates such as Franc-Maillet. The Arpin family practices sound, traditional viticultural methods there and, quite rightly, sets aside a very old Merlot vineyard on fairly clay-rich soil. Its wine holds its own in great vintages alongside those of Petrus or Trotanoy, and Jean-Luc Thunevin is spot-on in offering it in his Saint-Émilion shops.
Guide Hachette des vins
Wine noted (guide 2018) 2* Favorite (Remarkable wine)
Rated estate (2018 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
About the wine:
The jewel of the family: 5.6 hectares of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc planted on siliceous-gravelly soils with a clay subsoil. It stands out for its consistency. With the 2014 vintage, it reaches new heights. Its strengths? A deep, youthful color verging on black; an expressive and charming bouquet blending ripe berries, morello cherry, the gentle spices of subtle oak, and above all that touch of violet typical of Pomerol; a full-bodied, dense, generous, and harmonious palate that echoes the nose’s profile, with that mineral note and the stone fruit accents characteristic of gravel wines; and a beautiful, soaring finish, underscored by elegant tannins. Class at a reasonable price.
About the estate:
Upon his return from World War I, Jean-Baptiste Arpin purchased 1 hectare in Pomerol, in the Maillet area. Today, his grandsons and great-grandsons, Gérard and Gaël, cultivate 38 hectares in Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Montagne, and Lalande, and consistently produce excellent wines.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated Estate (2005 Guide) Selected (Please note that this guide is a ranking, and as such, all the estates listed here—even those without a star—represent, in our view, the pinnacle of French winemaking.)
About the estate:
Located in the Maillet district—which gave its name to the Château Franc-Maillet estate—Franc-Maillet has been owned by the Arpin family for nearly a century. Over the past half-decade, the estate’s wines have shown steady improvement, particularly with a prestige cuvée named Jean-Baptiste, which displays beautiful fullness and undeniable elegance. The wines: In both of Château Franc-Maillet’s cuvées, the most recent vintages show steady and very promising progress. The 2000s are deep, full-bodied, and robust wines with very ripe tannins that are not at all dry. The Jean-Baptiste cuvée is of remarkable intensity. Vieux Château Gachet, the Lalande-de-Pomerol, is also flavorful and refined in the 2000 vintage.
Gilbert & Gaillard
Wine rated (2016 guide) 92/100
About the wine:
Deep color with youthful purplish highlights. The nose shows beautiful maturity, dominated by red fruit with a light hint of oak. On the palate, a smooth attack and velvety tannins highlight ripe, lingering aromas. A classic Pomerol that is already very expressive.
Customer Rating
4/5
based on 7 reviews
Review and comment by Mr. MARC C. Posted on October 6, 2018
Really, really good. An excellent wine. Velvety and well-balanced.
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Review and comment by Mr. CEDRIC A. Posted on April 16, 2020
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Review by Mr. GUILLAUME P. Published on March 7, 2020
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Review by Mr. MARCEL C. Published on December 1, 2019
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Review by Mr. ROMAIN P. Published on May 25, 2019
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Review by Mr. PIERRE L. Published on September 23, 2018
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Review by Mr. MASSIMO D. Published on September 15, 2018
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