104. Château La Grande Maye, Côtes de Castillon, 1999

£6.50; ??%

A recommendation from the salesman at Justerini & Brooks who was taking my Product Allowance order from Diageo. This was his “good value ready-to-drink”. I agree. From the greater Bordeaux region, this very-much petit château has some classic claret characteristics. The nose is distinctly tobacco-like – more fresh than cigar / dry, with only a hint of smokiness. Fruit is subdued and indistinct, but I would suggest dark and maybe briary. Flavours are toasty oak-driven over limited fruitiness, with subtle but definite tannin. Somewhat acidic finish. Deep colour suggests a sizeable chunk of Merlot in the blend, but I can’t remember what it really is. Overall, good value for money, but needed more pleasing fruit. Tannins suggested slightly young, but balance?