The Greffieux vineyard sits immediately below Le Méal. Here the vines were planted by Faurie’s great-grandfather in the ’20s and ’30s. Faurie ‘parcelates’ his plot of les Greffieux based on soil, making two wines; one from soil that is heavy with granite and that produces a firmly structured wine (this makes up the bulk of the Assemblage) and one from another parcel more typical of les Greffieux with rolled stones and shallow top soil. It is this latter plot that gives us this wine (labelled Greffieux).  The 2006 was intensely perfumed when I visited with a fabulously lush and seductive texture and a long, sappy close. Superb stuff that would ideally be consumed between 6-12 years of age.

Bright ruby color. Intense, spicy red berry and cherry aromas, along with a subtle anise quality. Silky in texture, with elegant raspberry and candied cherry flavors and a very long finish featuring white pepper, clove and mace. Reminds me of a mincemeat pie. The tannins here are extremely sweet and suave. Josh Raynolds: [Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Jan/Feb 2008] 92-94 points, outstanding to extraordinary.