Chateau Franc Mayne St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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Learn everything about Chateau Franc Mayne St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn all the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Franc Mayne History, Overview

While most of the story for Chateau Franc Mayne begins in the 1700s, there are ruins on the estate that date back to the ancient Romans who were the first people to cultivate vines on the property. Over the years, Chateau Franc Mayne has had more than its share of owners.

More recently, the large insurance group AXA-Millesimes bought it in 1984. In June 1996, the AXA group sold Chateau Franc Mayne to a Belgian entrepreneur, Georgy Fourcroy who later sold Chateau Franc Mayne to the Laviale family in 2004. The Laviale family also own Chateau Vieux Maillet in Pomerol and Chateau de Lussac in the Lussac St. Emilion satellite appellation.

One of the first decisions made by the new owners was to change to make up of the vineyard and thus, the blend of the wine. Previous vintages were often 100% Merlot. Starting with the 2004 vintage, the blend began to include 10%, Cabernet Franc.

Chateau Franc Mayne, which is one of the 17 different, Bordeaux producers with the word, Franc in the title, was owned and managed by a fashionable couple, Griet Laviale and Herve Laviale until January 2018, when they sold the estate to Jean-Pierre Savare.

Jean Pierre Savare was already quite familiar with Franc Mayne as was a minority investor in the vineyard, along with the Cazeneuve family, the owners of Chateau Paloumey in the Haut Medoc appellation.

Under the control of Griet Laviale and Herve Laviale, Chateau Franc Mayne was completely renovated, from top to bottom. The very modern, energy-efficient, sleek cellars were created by the noted architects Lanoire and Courrian.

When you are at the property, ask to see the underground, limestone caves, and cellars, they are worth your time to visit.

Chateau Franc Mayne is more than a Right Bank vineyard. It’s also a charming hotel in Saint Emilion, located not far from the village. The hotel is interesting as each room is unique.

They have a total of 10 rooms and all of them are distinctly different. Each guest was built with a specific theme in mind. There is even a treehouse in the middle of their St. Emilion vineyard you can stay in.

Chateau Franc Mayne Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 7-hectare vineyard of Chateau Franc Mayne is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The estate started added more Cabernet Franc to their vineyards in 2018. It is the goal of the estate to continue slowly adding more Cabernet to the vineyard overtime. Chateau Franc-Mayne was certified organic in 2022.

The terroir is clay, limestone, and clay with sandy soils on sloping hillsides which gradually reach 75 meters at their peak. On average, the vines are kept at 30 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a density of 6,000 vines per hectare.

The vineyard is located just outside of the village. They have vines that are quite close to Chateau Grand Mayne, as you can probably surmise, from the name. They are also located not too far from Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot.

To produce the wine of Chateau Franc Mayne, vinification takes place in a combination of 5 stainless steel tanks and 5 wood vats. The steel vats range in size with 2, 60 hectoliter vats, 2, 50 Hectoliters and one 40 hectoliter vat.

The wood vats range in size as well with 2, 50 hectoliter wood tanks, 2, 40 hectoliter tanks, and one 28 hectoliter tank. The smallest vat at 28 hectoliters is always reserved for Cabernet Franc.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of barrel, vat, and tank. The wine is aged in an average of 85% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 16 months, depending on the quality and character of the vintage. Michel Rolland is the consultant.

The best vintages of Chateau Franc Mayne are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, and 2005.

Chateau Franc Mayne also produces a second wine, Les Cedres de Franc Mayne. On average, the annual production of Chateau Franc Mayne is slightly less than 3,000 cases of wine per year.

When to Drink Chateau Franc Mayne, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Franc Mayne is better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau Franc Mayne is best enjoyed in the first 5-18 years of life.

Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour to 90 minutes. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau Franc Mayne with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau Franc Mayne is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Franc Mayne is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Franc Mayne is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

www.chateau-francmayne.com

Château Franc-Mayne Wine Tasting Notes

21 Vintages 97,623 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
95
The wine is loaded with lusciously-textured, black cherries, licorice, cocoa, and espresso beans. The wine is rich, supple, long, and fresh with a depth of flavor, freshness, lift and elegance and a salty mineral essence in the finish. The wine sports a new, updated label. The wine was made from 100% Merlot. Drink from 2026-2045. 94-96 Pts.

The wine is loaded with lusciously-textured, black cherries, licorice, cocoa, and espresso beans. The wine is rich, supple, long, and fresh with a depth of flavor, freshness, lift and elegance and a salty mineral essence in the finish. The wine sports a new, updated label. The wine was made from 100% Merlot. Drink from 2026-2045. 94-96 Pts.

1,936 Views   Tasted
2021
91
Savory herbs, black cherries and spice crowd into the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, creamy and fresh, leaving you with sweet, red fruits and peppery spice on the backend. Things are definitely on the upswing here. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2024-2038.

Savory herbs, black cherries and spice crowd into the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, creamy and fresh, leaving you with sweet, red fruits and peppery spice on the backend. Things are definitely on the upswing here. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2024-2038.

106 Views   Tasted
Flowers and black cherries come through on the nose. Soft, round and polished, with a nice sweetness to the fruits on the medium-bodied palate, and in the soft, creamy finish leaving you with a solid wave of cherries and dark chocolate. Things are definitely on the upswing here. Drink from 2024-2040. 90-92

Flowers and black cherries come through on the nose. Soft, round and polished, with a nice sweetness to the fruits on the medium-bodied palate, and in the soft, creamy finish leaving you with a solid wave of cherries and dark chocolate. Things are definitely on the upswing here. Drink from 2024-2040. 90-92

1,110 Views   Tasted
2020
94
Spicy black cherries, smoke, flowers, cigar box, dark red fruits and espresso bean shine with ease in the perfume. Elegant, fresh, vibrant and refined, the wine is medium-bodied, lifted and ends with ample minerality and dark chocolate covered plums on the backend that keep on going. This could be the finest vintage of Franc Mayne ever produced. Drink from 2024-2045.

Spicy black cherries, smoke, flowers, cigar box, dark red fruits and espresso bean shine with ease in the perfume. Elegant, fresh, vibrant and refined, the wine is medium-bodied, lifted and ends with ample minerality and dark chocolate covered plums on the backend that keep on going. This could be the finest vintage of Franc Mayne ever produced. Drink from 2024-2045.

1,891 Views   Tasted
Flowers, spice, wet earth, cigar box, dark red fruits and spice come through on the nose with ease. On the medium-bodied palate. the wine is fresh, sweet, juicy, refined and elegant, finishing with soft, polished, silky red fruits. 91-93 Pts

Flowers, spice, wet earth, cigar box, dark red fruits and spice come through on the nose with ease. On the medium-bodied palate. the wine is fresh, sweet, juicy, refined and elegant, finishing with soft, polished, silky red fruits. 91-93 Pts

1,698 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Produced from 100% Merlot, the wine opens with floral, cocoa, licorice, smoke and plum aromatics. The medium-bodied wine is elegant, fresh and energetic, with a soft, polished texture that is perfect for all of its layers of sweet, ripe, fresh, red fruits and chocolate on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2023-2036.

Produced from 100% Merlot, the wine opens with floral, cocoa, licorice, smoke and plum aromatics. The medium-bodied wine is elegant, fresh and energetic, with a soft, polished texture that is perfect for all of its layers of sweet, ripe, fresh, red fruits and chocolate on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2023-2036.

1,281 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, soft and refined, with sweet, juicy, dark red fruits, licorice and salty tannins. This should drink well with just a few years of bottle age. 90-92 Pts

Medium-bodied, soft and refined, with sweet, juicy, dark red fruits, licorice and salty tannins. This should drink well with just a few years of bottle age. 90-92 Pts

2,237 Views   Tasted
2018
92
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.

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.

1,826 Views   Tasted
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. 90-92 Pts

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. 90-92 Pts

2,206 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Not a lot of flesh here, yet it is soft, medium bodied with bright red fruits and sweetness. This should drink well upon or shortly after release.

Not a lot of flesh here, yet it is soft, medium bodied with bright red fruits and sweetness. This should drink well upon or shortly after release.

1,663 Views   Tasted
2016
91
A nice combination of elegance, purity of fruit and sweetness in the red berries creates a medium-bodied wine with fresh fruits and a polished, textured, up-beat finish.

A nice combination of elegance, purity of fruit and sweetness in the red berries creates a medium-bodied wine with fresh fruits and a polished, textured, up-beat finish.

2,014 Views   Tasted
Elegance, purity of fruit and sweetness in the red berries, this is a medium-bodied wine with fresh fruits and a polished, textured finish.

Elegance, purity of fruit and sweetness in the red berries, this is a medium-bodied wine with fresh fruits and a polished, textured finish.

2,245 Views   Tasted
2015
91
Loads of truffle infused cherries, silky, soft, elegant textures and a refined, sweet, plum and cherry finish combine to make everything work here. The property was sold to new owners in early, 2018.

Loads of truffle infused cherries, silky, soft, elegant textures and a refined, sweet, plum and cherry finish combine to make everything work here. The property was sold to new owners in early, 2018.

2,939 Views   Tasted
One of the best vintages ever produced at Franc Mayne. The truffle, dark plum, espresso nose charms you. But it is the forward styled, silky, refined, soft textures of all those, ripe, juicy, sweet plums that keeps you here.

One of the best vintages ever produced at Franc Mayne. The truffle, dark plum, espresso nose charms you. But it is the forward styled, silky, refined, soft textures of all those, ripe, juicy, sweet plums that keeps you here.

2,988 Views   Tasted
Polished black raspberries, licorice, vanilla and espresso in the opening notes, this wine has more body than in previous years, plus a better depth of flavor and more freshness in the finish.

Polished black raspberries, licorice, vanilla and espresso in the opening notes, this wine has more body than in previous years, plus a better depth of flavor and more freshness in the finish.

2,002 Views   Tasted
2014
88
Fresh red fruits with peppercorn tones, this is a forward-styled, medium-bodied wine, soft and approachable with a cherry and black raspberry finish. 88-89 Pts

Fresh red fruits with peppercorn tones, this is a forward-styled, medium-bodied wine, soft and approachable with a cherry and black raspberry finish. 88-89 Pts

1,908 Views   Tasted
2013
88
Fresh herbs, fennel, red berries and light density, this forward wine will offer its red fruit personality on release. 87-89 Pts

Fresh herbs, fennel, red berries and light density, this forward wine will offer its red fruit personality on release. 87-89 Pts

1,843 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Medium bodied, lighter style of wine, dominated by red plums and cherries, oak and earth. This will not make old wines and will probably drink best on the young side.

Medium bodied, lighter style of wine, dominated by red plums and cherries, oak and earth. This will not make old wines and will probably drink best on the young side.

3,041 Views   Tasted
Coffee cake, licorice, caramel and plum notes pair with soft, silky textures that end with a dusty red berry finish. 88-90 Pts

Coffee cake, licorice, caramel and plum notes pair with soft, silky textures that end with a dusty red berry finish. 88-90 Pts

3,100 Views   Tasted
2011
88
Medium bodied, with a focus on soft red berries, earth and spice, this easy drinking wine will show well on release. This will not make old bones. I'd drink this on the young side.

Medium bodied, with a focus on soft red berries, earth and spice, this easy drinking wine will show well on release. This will not make old bones. I'd drink this on the young side.

2,414 Views   Tasted
Licorice and fresh, spicy red berries are the core of the wine. Soft and easy to drink, this will deliver pleasure on release.

Licorice and fresh, spicy red berries are the core of the wine. Soft and easy to drink, this will deliver pleasure on release.

1,228 Views   Tasted
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.5% ABV and will be aged in 70% new oak. With licorice, coffee, floral and black raspberry scents, this soft-textured, polished, fresh St. Emilion ends with a medium-bodied, red berry finish. 89-91 Pts

90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.5% ABV and will be aged in 70% new oak. With licorice, coffee, floral and black raspberry scents, this soft-textured, polished, fresh St. Emilion ends with a medium-bodied, red berry finish. 89-91 Pts

1,376 Views   Tasted
2010
91
Coffee bean, spice, fennel, jam and plum notes open to a tannic, polished wine with good depth of flavor and soft textures that requires a few more years of bottle age before it becomes even more fun to taste.

Coffee bean, spice, fennel, jam and plum notes open to a tannic, polished wine with good depth of flavor and soft textures that requires a few more years of bottle age before it becomes even more fun to taste.

3,860 Views   Tasted
Franc Mayne Fennel, jammy black cherries, espresso and cassis scents, medium/full bodied with round, elegant textures and a juicy, blackberry, licorice and red plum finish. 90-93

Franc Mayne Fennel, jammy black cherries, espresso and cassis scents, medium/full bodied with round, elegant textures and a juicy, blackberry, licorice and red plum finish. 90-93

3,782 Views   Tasted
2009
91
Showing a deep garnet color, the wine delivers primary notes of plum, licorice, blak raspberry, espresso bean and vanilla. The wine is already approachable, silky and fun to taste with its polished black cherry. It should also age easily for at least a decade or more.

Showing a deep garnet color, the wine delivers primary notes of plum, licorice, blak raspberry, espresso bean and vanilla. The wine is already approachable, silky and fun to taste with its polished black cherry. It should also age easily for at least a decade or more.

3,640 Views   Tasted
Chocolate covered black cherries, licorice, espresso and leafy aromas open to a round, lush, sweet, ripe, dark berry filled wine. Produced in a forward style, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc is already fun to taste.

Chocolate covered black cherries, licorice, espresso and leafy aromas open to a round, lush, sweet, ripe, dark berry filled wine. Produced in a forward style, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc is already fun to taste.

3,228 Views   Tasted
2008
89
Coffee bean, earth, herbs and red berry aromas make up the perfume. On the palate, the wine is soft, open and focuses on its cherry core. Drink now, or age it for a year or two.

Coffee bean, earth, herbs and red berry aromas make up the perfume. On the palate, the wine is soft, open and focuses on its cherry core. Drink now, or age it for a year or two.

4,049 Views   Tasted
This wine opens with cherry, coca and coffee flavors. Medium bodied with a hint of green from under ripeness, the wine ends with a kirsch filled finish.

This wine opens with cherry, coca and coffee flavors. Medium bodied with a hint of green from under ripeness, the wine ends with a kirsch filled finish.

3,295 Views   Tasted
2007
87
Medium bodied, with light cherry, wild strawberry and spice, this soft, easy drinking wine is probably at peak today and requires drinking.

Medium bodied, with light cherry, wild strawberry and spice, this soft, easy drinking wine is probably at peak today and requires drinking.

3,181 Views   Tasted
2006
89
A more structured style of Franc Mayne. This is still youthful. In fact, a few more years will add softness to the truffle, smoke, mineral and fresh cherry filled, charming, finesse styled wine.

A more structured style of Franc Mayne. This is still youthful. In fact, a few more years will add softness to the truffle, smoke, mineral and fresh cherry filled, charming, finesse styled wine.

3,270 Views   Tasted
2005
90
Smoke, licorice, stone and fresh plum scents pair well with the silky, soft, sweet cherry, mid palate. You can drink this elegant wine now, or age it for a few more years.

Smoke, licorice, stone and fresh plum scents pair well with the silky, soft, sweet cherry, mid palate. You can drink this elegant wine now, or age it for a few more years.

5,244 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied wine with a slightly bright fruit personality. The wines plush texture is slightly marred by a bitter quality in the finish

Medium bodied wine with a slightly bright fruit personality. The wines plush texture is slightly marred by a bitter quality in the finish

4,929 Views   Tasted
2004
85
Medium bodied, with a focus on crisp, bright, spicy, earthy, red fruits, the wine is starting to fade and need to be consumed sooner than later.

Medium bodied, with a focus on crisp, bright, spicy, earthy, red fruits, the wine is starting to fade and need to be consumed sooner than later.

3,090 Views   Tasted
The debut vintage produced by the new owners introduced 10% Caberent Franc for the first time to the blend. Medium bodied and dominated by bright, red berries, the wine has started dropping its fruit and should be enjoyed sooner than later to preserve the remaining fresh fruit quality.

The debut vintage produced by the new owners introduced 10% Caberent Franc for the first time to the blend. Medium bodied and dominated by bright, red berries, the wine has started dropping its fruit and should be enjoyed sooner than later to preserve the remaining fresh fruit quality.

2,801 Views   Tasted
2003
84
Aromas of smoke, earth, red berries and fennel open to a medium bodied, tart red berry finish. This is the last vintage produced from 100% Merlot. The new owners took over the following year, changing the label, vineyard cepage and blend.

Aromas of smoke, earth, red berries and fennel open to a medium bodied, tart red berry finish. This is the last vintage produced from 100% Merlot. The new owners took over the following year, changing the label, vineyard cepage and blend.

3,609 Views   Tasted
2002
83
Fully mature, with a nose of earth, forest, oak and cherry notes. The medium bodied wine ends with light, spicy, red cherries and requires consumption.

Fully mature, with a nose of earth, forest, oak and cherry notes. The medium bodied wine ends with light, spicy, red cherries and requires consumption.

3,222 Views   Tasted