Château Grand Mayne 2005

Grand Mayne’s 2005 (a blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a sexy, fleshy St.-Emilion with a dense ruby/purple color and loads of blueberry, cassis and black raspberry fruit. It is medium to full-bodied, luscious, and already drinkable, although capable of lasting another 10-15 years.

Crushed blackberry aromas, with lots of coffee and toasty oak, lead to a medium-to-full body, with polished, velvety tannins and a vanilla, berry and chocolate aftertaste. Best after 2012. 4,580 cases made.

The 2005 Grand Mayne has a broody bouquet, quite closed compared to the 2004 with black rather than red fruit, laced with chimney soot and tobacco scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, bold structure and superb acidity keeping everything tied together. Plenty of energy here, white pepper and clove notes towards the vibrant, Tuscan-tinged finish, completing one of the finest Grand Mayne releases in recent years. Superb. Tasted at the Grand Mayne vertical at the property.

Coffee, herbs and nice fruit are supported by good structure with the addition of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sweet entry. Silky tannins and a nice finish.

Very dark garnet, purple rim, dense core. Powerful bouquet, initially a touch alcoholic, then reloading with an extravagant wave of fruit, cooked plums and blackcurrant notes, with a hint of honey and raisins in the background. Mouth-filling attack, full-bodied, kept in line by ripe tannins, and with enough reserves for further decades in a cool cellar. Feels a bit “loud” for a Grand-Mayne, but naturally reflects a heroic vintage. In ten years, the wine could reach 19/20.

Dark, deep garnet with a violet sheen. Intense elderberry and blackberry bouquet, slender yet full of spice. On the palate, peppery—black peppercorns—licorice, showing a fine dark-chocolate bitterness; lots of breed and power, not to be underestimated. 07: Sweet bouquet with cooked berries, plenty of fruit up front and ample richness at the core. On the palate, like a full Pomerol, raspberry seeds and an almost Zinfandel-like sweetness on the finish. 08: Elegant, long and very fine. Very dark garnet, purple rim, dense at the core. Powerful bouquet, initially a touch alcoholic, then doubling down with lavish fruit, cooked plums and black-currant notes, also revealing a nuance of honey and raisins in the background. Mouth-filling attack, lots of volume, a body showing ripe tannins yet enough reserves to provide pleasure for decades. Feels a bit “loud” for a Grand-Mayne but reflects a heroic, great vintage. In 10 years, 19/20 is on the cards.

Fruity, velvety, opulent bouquet with notes of grain, chocolate, dried fruit and chamomile. Fruity, velvety, creamy palate with good fruit, plenty of fine, sandy tannins, and a sweet, spicy aromatic profile. Long, velvety finish. 18/20 2012 - 2030

Beautiful color. Lovely fresh nose, pure yet ripe. Pleasure and seduction come from the finesse of the mouthfeel. The wine unfolds flavorful, intense, silky, pure, and long. Very fine balance.

Big wood, big fruit—there are no half measures here. The wine is spicy from the tannins and wood, the fruit is densely black with red berry tinges, and the power is evident throughout. This wine has weight.