La Gravette de Certan 2010

What an amazing duo of wines from proprietor Alexandre Thienpont, who thinks his second wine, the La Gravette de Certan, is better in 2010 than many of the vintages of Vieux Chateau Certan produced in the 1970s - and I agree. It is a complex, relatively evolved style of wine that represents one-third of the production in 2010. An equal-part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it has a deep purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of raspberries, black cherries, mulberries, licorice and foresty notes. Full-bodied and evolved, this wine has gorgeous texture and remarkable opulence. It can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years.