Petit Gravet Aine 2020

The 2020 Petit Gravet Aîné has a deep garnet-purple color, needing a little swirling to unlock profound notions of preserved plums, blackberry jam and raspberry coulis, plus hints of tar, red roses and dried Provence herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegantly crafted with tightly knit black fruit and savory layers and very fine-grained tannins, lifted with seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. It is a wine of great restraint and with a quiet intensity that will reward the patient.

Another gem of a Right Bank is the 2020 Château Petit Gravet Aîné, which comes from the deep, sandy, clay soils of the 2.5-hectare vineyard located just beside Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, at the base of the Côte Pavie. A blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, it has a medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant, and flawlessly balanced profile to go with perfumed notes of cassis, ripe tobacco, dried flowers, and spice. A wine that's all about finesse, elegance, and complexity, it's drinking beautifully today and, I suspect, will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years.