From a great, yet tiny, sandy/clay terroir near Canon-la-Gaffelière and a unique Cabernet Franc-dominated blend mixed with 20% Merlot aged in new barrels, the 2015 Château Petit Gravet Aîné boasts a complex, exotic bouquet of incense, spring flowers, and dried herbs, with a beautiful core of black cherry and plum fruit. The palate is where this gem shines, however, and it’s sensationally pure, layered, and elegant, with a full-bodied, sexy style that just begs to be drunk. Give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. This is an awesome wine brought to the US by American merchant Jeffrey Davies.

Composed of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot matured in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Petit Gravet Aine is provocatively scented of red currant jelly, raspberry tart and blackberry preserves with hints of dried roses, stewed tea and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, very firm and grainy with a lovely perfumed red fruit expression, it finishes long and minerally. This needs 2 to 3 years, at least! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown