Grand Mayne Castle - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Vinous

the1/31/2016

The 2012 Grand Mayne is dark and brooding in the glass. Ripe black cherries, blueberry jam, mocha, licorice and new leather are some of the many notes that fill out the wine's big, broad shouldered frame. A voluptuous yet also heavily extracted wine, the 2012 is long on power and overall intensity. It should drink well for another 15-20 years, maybe more.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

This wine, which has given me great pleasure over many years, comes from the Nony family and is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Black raspberry and blueberry fruit, a dense ruby/purple color, excellent purity, medium to full body and a moderately long finish characterize this young, relatively big-scale, extroverted St.-Emilion. It still needs some bottle age, given the tannin, but everything should come together with another 2-3 years in bottle. This is set for at least 12-15 years of longevity.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This is very intense for the vintage with blueberry, light coffee and wet earth character. Full body, silky and polished tannins and a long, long finish. Excellent. Better in 2018.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Very polished, with a flattering feel up front and lots of ripe plum, blackberry paste and blueberry reduction notes at the core. Shows some serious grip on the back end, with ganache and graphite accents joining a brambly hint on the finish. This should stretch out in the cellar as both sides come together. Best from 2017 through 2026. 3,125 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

15,5 / 20

the12/11/2014

Dark crimson. Superficially super-ripe nose. A bit confected. Not quite enough freshness. Really rather muddy on the finish.Drink 2017-2024

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

The 2012 is a blend 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked from 9th October until 20th October. There is much more restraint on the nose compared to recent vintages with superb delineation and focus. A more classic Grand Mayne in the offing? The palate is very well balanced with silky smooth tannins, very fine acidity and a sophisticated, elegant finish with beautifully integrated oak. Superb wine Jean-Antoine! Tasted April 2013.

La Revue du Vin de France

15-15,5 / 20

the5/1/2013

L’échantillon (70% merlot) est porté par la finesse du fruit et des notes de graphite. La bouche est
serrée, mais avec des tanins assez fermes qui prendront du volume à l’élevage. Un coureur de demifond.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Delivers more bass than treble, with cocoa and ganache notes leading the way for a core of fig and tobacco flavors. A muscular style, but the components work together rather than at odds. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

16 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/29/2013

Beau rouge sombre. Nez fin, fruité, mûr et frais. Bouche bien construite, au toucher caressant, se développant très fruitée, élancée sur un corps suave avec de l'éclat dans le fruit et aucun angle tanique. Très agréable.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/26/2013

Drink 2017-2025
Inky core, purple rim. Cedar and blackcurrant pastille, plus a blueberry sweetness and a very slightly herbaceous note. Savoury and dark on the palate, savoury but not austere, just that the fruit takes more of a back seat at this point. Dense but smooth tannins. Well shaped but not yet revealed. (JH)

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

One of my favorite “under the radar” St.-Emilion estates (the 1998 is spectacular), the full-bodied, impressively well-endowed, opaque purple-colored 2012 Grand-Mayne offers up scents of blueberries, crushed rocks, spring flowers, vanilla and black raspberries. It is a blue fruit-dominated wine with lots of body, sweet tannin and hedonistic, almost primordial appeal because of its exuberant glycerin, texture and fullness. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.
Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

With licorice, black raspberries, truffle and spice notes, this silky-textured, medium-bodied wine has soft tannins and a chocolate-, fennel- and raspberry-filled finish. 89-91 Pts