2016 Grand Mayne (St-Emilion)

The 2016 Grand-Mayne is a very different wine from those of old when sometimes it could be pushed too much in the winery. Certainly, the addition of Louis Mitjavile, François`s son, has had a positive impact upon Grand-Mayne in the last two or three years. This is very elegant and refined, displaying more terroir characteristics with a gorgeous herbal lift, almost as if owner Jean-Antoine Nony had used some stems! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, almost Pomerol-like in style with more mineralité and refinement on the finish. This is a new style of Grand-Mayne, and et tobacco, herb and leather overtones give the succulent red cherry fruit attractive savory underpinnings. Hints of mocha and torrefaction appear later, adding further shades of nuance. The oak tannins are a bit aggressive at this stage, but all the elements are nicely balanced just the same. The 2016 is going to need a bit more time to come into its own, but even today it is quite promising. Tasted two times. 89-92 points