A blockbuster from Saint-Emilion, the 2015 Château Badette (95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, raised in new barrels) is a broad, expansive, opulent beauty that’s loaded with ripe dark fruits, chocolate, smoke, and saddle leather aromas and flavors. While a big, rich wine, it stays beautifully balanced and pure, yet dark, chocolatey fruit is certainly the buzzword here. It’s a winner and will keep for two decades. This estate covers 10 hectares all located in the lieu-dit of Badette and was purchased in 2012 by a Belgian wine merchant. This is another estate more than worth keeping on your radar.

94+ A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months, the 2015 Badette is deep garnet-purple in color with pronounced baked plums, crème de cassis and chocolate-covered cherries on the nose plus black truffles, rose hip tea and spice box nuances. Full-bodied, rich and opulent, hitting the palate with a powerful and compelling wall of black and blue fruits plus oodles of spicy accents, it has gorgeous, velvety tannins and fantastic length. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown