Chateau Grand Mayne 2002, St Emilion GCC.

The 2002 Grand-Mayne has a classic blackberry nose, a little more nerve than its peers, with good definition and depth. The palate is robust and packed for the age; the palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins cloaked in decent fruit, showing no greenness and rawness yet a sense of roundness on the finish. There are secondary tones of coffee and toast followed by some meatiness, pointing to excellent development over the past 20 years in bottles and is still holding up well. The vintage 2002 is stable, in the region 88 to 92 points. We awarded it 92DD.

We always believe it is one of the best-value Right Bank in the traditional style(partial oak fermentation and extended storage of more than 18 months) with evident reformation towards modern style(towards 100% new oak at times). The 21-hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Grand Mayne plants to 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon with vines that average close to 30 years of age with 5,500 vines per hectare, hence there is always some complexity and intensity.

The vineyard of Chateau Grand Mayne lies to the west of Saint Emilion, at the foot of the plateau, hence specific structure and greenness sometimes. Even though the vineyard is in one large block of vines, Chateau Grand Mayne results from two different terroirs, thus the diversity of taste. Grand Mayne has vines planted in clay and limestone soils on the hillsides, which reach 55 meters at its peak. A portion of these vines borders Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot(a rich, full and tannic style). Further down the hillsides at the base of the slopes and in the flats, you find sand over clay which abuts Chateau Laroze(the form of soft, fragrant and fruity).