Viniou Reviews
Château Maine Reynaud 2015 is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that embodies both the nobility of its origin and the seductive appeal of its vintage. Predominantly crafted from Merlot, the signature grape of the Right Bank, with possible touches of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine comes from meticulously tended vines rooted in limestone-clay soils. The 2015 vintage was particularly favourable in Bordeaux, marked by a warm spring, followed by a dry, sunny summer and perfectly timed rains at the end of the season, allowing grapes optimal ripeness and balance. The vinification was likely traditional, with careful extraction to preserve the wine’s supple tannins and expressive fruit, before ageing in French oak barrels imparting subtle notes of spice and complexity.
Saint-Émilion itself boasts a distinguished place in Bordeaux’s mosaic of terroirs. The region’s undulating landscape, famed for its limestone plateau and a patchwork of clay slopes, gives rise to wines of both power and finesse. With a temperate oceanic climate, moderated by the proximity of the Dordogne river, grapes mature slowly, developing deep flavours while maintaining freshness. The town of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has an ancient viticultural heritage, its fame rooted in the Middle Ages and continuing today through the work of its passionate vignerons.
This wine’s plush, ripe red and black fruits, intricate notes of violet, cedar and subtle minerality pair exceptionally well with roasted lamb, duck breast, or classic French entrecôte with a shallot jus. For regional harmony, try it with a Bordelaise-style mushroom fricassée or a rich confit de canard. Lighter game birds and hard cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda will also complement its structure and elegance.
Serve Château Maine Reynaud 2015 at 16-18°C, ideally after decanting for an hour to allow its bouquet to unfurl and tannins to soften. The wine is drinking beautifully after a few years in bottle, but could continue to evolve with further cellaring over the next 5-7 years.
