Grand Mayne 2014

The sweet plum-cake aromas match the rich — almost creamy — entry, then the crisp acidity comes through. The dry tannins are a little challenging, but there’s a lot of depth. Needs some time to soften. Try in 2019.

Fleshy, with a hint of extraction as the core shows dark fig and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors, flecked with plum skin and mulling spice notes. A solid brambly tow on the finish stretches this out, while a lingering alder hint adds range. Best from 2018 through 2028. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,167 cases made.

The 2014 Grand-Mayne has a fragrant bouquet, perhaps more refined than in recent years with dried rose petals and incense fusing with the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity and a gentle build towards a vivid, lightly spiced finish that maintains impressive delineation, perhaps less extracted and more precise than wines of the past. This is a superb Grand-Mayne that represents a subtle change in tack for the estate—one that this writer approves of. Tasted on three occasions and consistent every time. Drink Date 2020-2040