2005 Franc Mayne

Zesty and ripe with some energy. This was served at the beginning of the second flight of St-Émilions and seemed appreciably fresher than the wines in the first. Lots of attack, and a little bit of oak, but a tightly wound spring that could eventually deliver real pleasure – may just be tightening up as a natural course of events for a 2005. (JR)

Good deep red-ruby. Mellow aromas of currant and coffee. Sweet, broad and supple, with open-knit, slightly jammy flavors of raspberry, coffee, mocha and spice. The tannins are ripe and broad, and the flavors linger nicely. Not an elegant style, but should offer considerable early satisfaction. (The young 2007 seemed a bit dominated by its acids and tannins but offered good chewy flavors of black cherry and licorice.)