Domaine BovySt-Saphorin "Optimus" 2022

In St-Saphorin, Domaine Bovy's vines cling to slopes so steep they're said to hang in the sky. The soil mixes clay and limestone, bound with pebbles cemented by sandstone, a rare conglomerate rock called poudingue. It's on this unusual ground that Diolinoir grows, a red grape rarely seen outside Switzerland.

In the glass, the colour is dark red, almost black. The nose opens on wild berries and ripe fruit, with a touch of spice. The fruit hits the palate straight away, carried by tight tannins that leave a dry little grip, like black tea, and a woody note that lingers after the sip.

Serve it at 16-18°C with beef fillet or braised beef. A wine from Lavaux's steepest slopes, worth opening when you want a red with real character.