The second wine of the estate is the 2016 L'Esprit de Chevalier, one of the top second wines out there. Offering a deep ruby color as well as a classic Graves bouquet of mulled cherry and blackberry fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco, and loamy earth, it's medium to full-bodied, textured, and loaded with character. Drink it over the coming decade or so.

The 2016 Esprit de Chevalier has a high-toned nose of vivacious red and blue fruit, quite floral in style but nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin. Well balanced, approachable and refined, and smooth toward the finish. White pepper and clove linger on the aftertaste. Enjoy this over the next decade.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 L'Esprit de Chevalier offers up exuberant black cherries, blackberry and warm plums scents with touches of baking spices and tobacco. Medium-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture and plenty of freshness supporting the generous, juicy black fruit in the mouth, finishing spicy.

This has a nice polished, rounded feel, with alluring tobacco and toasty cedar notes amidst gently mulled plum and cherry fruit flavors. Accessible in feel too. Drink now through 2027. — JM