Château Franc Mayne Saint-Émilion 2016 - Grand Cru Classé

Jean-Pierre Savare, a Parisian businessman and winegrower, acquired this seven-hectare vineyard in early 2018 in partnership with the Cazeneuve family (Château Paloumey, a cru bourgeois in the Haut-Médoc). Martine Cazeneuve has taken over the management of Franc-Mayne. This wine, with its silky body and clean finish, has gained in distinction and depth since the 2018 vintage.

This 2016 vintage, with its intense nose of raspberry, kirsch, and blueberry, accented by subtle notes of coconut, came very close to earning the “ Favorite ” designation. On the palate, it is the very archetype of a wine, with such richness and density. Its powerful tannins are well-integrated, and the long finish allows the fruit to shine. A wine with great aging potential that combines power and elegance. 2023–2030.

Franc-Mayne, a classified growth since its inception (1959), with a fully renovated 7-hectare vineyard ideally situated on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, was taken over by the Savare family in 2018. Wine tourism, another specialty of the estate, remains a priority for the new team led by Martine Cazeneuve, with the opening of five guest rooms in the spring of 2019.

Thomas Savare, whose family-owned company Oberthur Fiduciaire is one of the world’s leading high-security printers, took over the estate on behalf of the family, entrusting its management to Martine Cazenave, who, after getting the château back on track, handed the reins to Pierre Arnald. Technical management remains under the direction of Sophie Mage (formerly of Château Grillet in Condrieu). The transformation in the wine profile has been dramatic. Drawing on a host of plots across five distinct terroirs, the new team launched a restructuring program for the vineyard, which is now cultivated organically. The Cabernet Franc vines have been uprooted and will be replanted once the soil has been cleared of nematodes and parasites, the vine’s enemies. As a result, future vintages will consist solely of “Burgundian-style” Merlot, produced from single-vineyard selections and refined through meticulous winemaking in the cellar. Intimate and refined, Franc Mayne combines the art of hospitality with the winemaking expertise of a classified growth that is sure to make a name for itself.

It offers an elegant and vibrant bouquet of blackcurrant, raspberry, and blackberry, accented by subtle notes of anise and applewood. The finish is subtly lingering, with a hint of bramble that adds texture and energy. Yum. Enjoy now through 2035. — JM

The 2016 Franc-Mayne offers a distinct bouquet of blackberries, wild strawberries, and flowers (rose petals) that gains intensity with just a few swirls of the glass. Very sensual! On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with fine tannins and well-balanced acidity. It tightens up toward the finish but offers plenty of substance and body. It seems to have developed the length I was looking for 12 months ago. Great potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2022–2040

Purple with violet highlights. Franc Mayne’s bouquet is complex and subtle. I detect notes of pepper, black berries, and spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and juicy. The tannins are elegant, well-integrated, and in harmony with the structure. The structure effectively supports the aromatic expression all the way through the finish. This Franc Mayne stands out for its elegance and its ability to balance power and delicacy. Well done. 2022–2036