Hurrah, it’s September and Domaine du Grand Mayne time! This is our fifth annual offer with the estate and the wines are better than ever, having had something of a revamp under the new head wine-maker, Coline Sicard.
The leading estate in the Côtes de Duras – which lies between Saint-Émilion and Bergerac and is one of France’s oldest AOCs – DGM is famed for its sustainable approach to winemaking and the hearteningly fair prices they charge.
If you like Bordeaux-style wines but quail at Bordeaux prices, then take a squint at these treats
If you like Bordeaux grape varieties and Bordeaux-style wines, but quail at Bordeaux prices, then I beg you to take a squint at the treats below. To say that they’re remarkable value for money is an understatement: they’re blooming bargains!
The 2022 Grand Mayne ‘Le Compère’ Blanc (1) is the estate’s entry-level white and bang on for summer slugging and swigging. Made solely from Sauvignon Blanc, it’s fresh, citrusy, slightly creamy and seductively drinkable. £9.98 down from £11.09.
The 2023 Grand Mayne L’Alter-Ego Sauvignon Blanc (2) is also 100 per cent Sauvignon but a step up in quality. It has weight and a lovely rounded, supple texture and would suit those for whom Kiwi or Loire SB are either too aromatic or too lean. £11.16 down from £11.75.
The 2023 Grand Mayne L’Epicurien Sauvignon Blanc (3) is a cracker, produced only from the estate’s finest plots, fermented and aged for eight months in oak barrels, of which about a quarter are new. It’s silky, creamy and rich rather than zesty, with hints of greengage and quince and, gosh, I love it. £15.27 down from £16.97.
The 2023 Grand Mayne Fantasque Sweet Sauvignon Blanc (4) is quite the curiosity and a tasty one at that. Picked at night and cool fermented in steel, it’s off-dry rather than sweet, despite its natural 20 grams per litre of sugar, and at just 10 per cent vol it makes a perfect partner to salty cheeses or even fruit puddings. I wasn’t sure about it at first but after a second, third and, heck, fourth gulp, I certainly was. It’s charming. Only 3,500 bottles made. £10.96 down from 12.11.
The 2023 Grand Mayne Le Compère Rosé (5) is refreshingly easy-going and uncomplicated. Made entirely from Merlot, it’s a beguiling pale pink – fresh, lively and inviting. There’s the signature Grand Mayne creaminess to it and a delicious hint of wild strawberries. £9.98 down from £11.09.
The 2021 Grand Mayne Le Compère Rouge (6) is a simple but beautifully crafted red blended mainly from Merlot but with character-building dashes of Cabs Sauv and Franc. With enticing hints of hedgerow fruit on the nose plus a whiff of eucalyptus and mint, it’s juicy, jammy and spicy. £10.37 down from £11.53.
The 2020 Grand Mayne L’Alter-Ego Rouge (7) is a similar blend but with a little more Cabernet and a little less Merlot than above. With juicy bramble fruit and touches of chocolate and vanilla on the finish, it’s hugely enjoyable. £11.55 down from £12.83.
The 2022 Grand Mayne L’Epicurien Merlot/Cabernet (8) is the standout wine of the offer, a 60 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 per cent Merlot and 15 per cent Cabernet Franc blend that’s fair crammed with concentrated and intense rich, ripe dark fruit. It’s soft and succulent with the longest and most uplifting of finishes and I’d expect it to be far pricier. £15.66 down from £17.40.
The wines are available in unmixed boxes of six, with free delivery applying to orders of 12 bottles or more. There are also two mixed boxes: the Luxury Box, with two bottles each of wines 3 & 8, and one bottle each of wine 2 & 7; and the Discovery Box with one bottle each of wines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 & 7.
To order, go to www.domainegrandmayne.com, click on the UK box and write SPECTATOR as the coupon code at checkout. Alternatively, download an orderform.
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