Château du Gravillon, Saint-Émilion 2022

This is a Saint Emilion in which the full expressiveness of the fruit shines through. It's not oak aged, rather matured in a combination of stainless steel and cement tanks for around 18 months before bottling. Merlot makes up 90% of the blend with the remainder being Cabernet Sauvignon and it pours with a deep, inky intensity. It leads with ripe dark plum aromas which follow through to the palate along with blackcurrants and blueberries. It's all very easy-going and smooth. Very well made it's one that's difficult not to enjoy.

This is a Saint-Emilion that makes good drinking all by itself. For matching with food, a pile of charcuterie and cheeses wouldn't go amiss.

Château du Gravillon's vineyards are sustainable cultivated by the owners, Vignobles Lavaud, and are certificated as such. Hubert Lavaud, who runs the estate is very keen on reducing the use of chemicals and of increasing biodiversity on their vineyards. They benefit from having a well sited vineyard with excellent terroir and, all in all, they produce remarkably good wines for their modest price levels.