2000 Grand Mayne

The 2000 Grand Mayne has a well-defined, quite complex bouquet with singed leather and sage infusing the dusky red fruit, perhaps more introverted juxtaposed against the 1998. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. This is full of energy thanks to the acidity, countering the richness that really shows towards the velvety smooth, dark chocolate tinged finish. Quite sensual for a millennial Bordeaux, this is beginning to show what it can do. Tasted at the Grand Mayne vertical at the property.

A consistent winner in both quality and value, the dark plum/garnet-tinged 2000 Grand-Mayne reveals a sweet nose of blueberry pie intermixed with forest floor and floral undertones. Deep, opulent, round, and full-bodied, it is a fully mature St.-Emilion that should drink well for another decade.

First bottle: Deep healthy crimson. Interesting, intriguing, refreshing, St-Emilion nose with real fragrance and lift. Quite a bit of acidity still – just not too much – and lots of dry tannins. There is fruit here but certainly overworked fruit. Is this 100 per cent clean? Finishes quite dry and suddenly. A little stern. Second bottle: Much less aromatic. Big, ripe but not so fragrant start and then very mouth-puckering tannins. Over-extracted, I fear. (JR)