Franc Mayne - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Franc-Mayne is vibrant, lifted and full of energy, just as it was en primeur. Freshly cut flowers, rose petal, mint, sage and lavender abound. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, Franc-Mayne has a ton to offer. It is one of the more elegant, classy wines of the year.

Wine Advocate

91

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Franc-Mayne comes wafting out of the glass with a compelling perfume of raspberry preserves, baked plums and boysenberries plus hints of cinnamon stick, rose hip tea and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers juicy red and black berry flavor layers with a soft texture and plenty of freshness, finishing spicy.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

Based on 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Château Franc Mayne is a pretty, complex, medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion revealing lots of red and blue fruits, flowers, spice, and sappy herb/sous bois-like nuances. With considerable elegance and purity on the palate, this is a more ethereal, seamless wine, delivering terrific tannins, a juicy yet integrated spine of acidity, and outstanding length. It's certainly the finest wine I've tasted from this estate to date, and the 2019 also looks to be another great vintage here, so this is an estate to keep your eye on.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Medium-bodied, elegant, soft, fresh and sweet, with a gorgeous sense of purity in the fruits. All that sweet fruit is accompanied by lift, energy, length and a richness that has not been apparent in previous vintages. The finish is all about its silky textures.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Franc-Mayne impressed in barrel, and it fulfills its potential in bottle. It sports a clean, precise bouquet of intense blackberry, briary and light tobacco scents that gain vigor with aeration. The palate is well balanced with supple, fine tannins, pure blackberry and raspberry fruit and touches of blueberry and orange peel coming through with time. This is a deftly crafted and complex Saint-Émilion from Franc-Mayne. Excellent.

Wine Spectator

89

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Alluring, with very silky-textured plum and cassis fruit, this red is lined with subtle black tea, incense and savory threads. Not a ton of range, this wins on grace rather than extraction or size. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028. 1,916 cases made. –JM

Yvesbeck.wine

92

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Bouquet invitant, marqué par des notes fruitées telles que framboises et cerises. En bouche le vin est compact, juteux et parfaitement soutenu par ses tannins. Ces derniers ont du grip et sont en phase avec la tension de la structure acide. Un vin qui a su gagner en finesse.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/19/2021

Aromas of cherries, plums, flowers and cedar. It’s full-bodied with very fine tannins that show finesse and polish. Lovely length. The tannin texture is excellent. Extremely well done. Try after 2024.

Decanter.com

91

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Franc-Mayne has a clean and precise bouquet with intense red cherry and blackcurrant aromas, the oak nicely integrated here. The palate is clean and precise, quite linear in style but that allows the complexity of this Saint-Émilion to shine through on the tense and edgy finish. This is a great Franc-Mayne that should age with style. Bravo.

Vinous

91-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

The 2018 Franc Mayne is gorgeous. Fresh, bright and nuanced, the 2018 has terrific balance. In this vintage, Franc Mayne is silky and polished, with more of an emphasis on understatement rather than power. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint and white pepper grace this very pretty, expressive Saint-Émilion. Franc Mayne is one of the jewels of Saint-Émilion in 2018. Tasted two times.

Vinifera

88-90

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Fruits macérés avec des notes lactiques. Il exprime une certaine fraîcheur mais il est linéaire dans son expression arômatique. Finale sur les fruits rouges. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

On the fruity and floral side, this wine is packed with silky textured, fresh, ripe cherries and licorice with a richness and a soft, elegant, supple, berry-filled finish.

Wine Advocate

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

Made of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Franc-Mayne gives up notions of baked plums, warm black and red cherries and blueberry compote with touches of cedar chest, bay leaves and fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has plenty of juicy fruit in the mouth with a rounded tannin texture and fantastic freshness, finishing earthy.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

This is a fresh-faced wine with attractive acidity and a sense of lightness and brightness. It offers a bright finish of black currant fruit.

Jamessuckling.com

90-91

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

Slightly stewed fruit to this, but some attractive depth of fruit and ripe tannins. Finishes strong at the end.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

87

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Decanter.com

90

byJane Ansonthe4/4/2019

This is a good quality 2018 - they are doing a good job of getting big, rich, insistent fruits without slapping on the oak or hitting the extraction pedal too hard. It has bold, bright red and black fruits, showing good balance although it's unquestionably big and punchy.
Drinking Window 2026 - 2038

Yvesbeck.wine

91-93

byYves Beckthe3/20/2019

Pourpre violacé. Belle intensité du bouquet avec des notes fruitées et épicées où je relève des notes de baies rouges, de griottes et de tabac. Attaque friande et compacte. Le corps a un peu de gras ainsi qu’une rafraîchissante touche juteuse. Seul le fruit doit encore gagner en intensité d’un point de vue gustatif. Un vin prometteur qui a gagné en finesse et en fraîcheur. 2022-2033