Looking for "spicey" wines...

[Puccino]

Great board - have enjoyed reading many useful posts here.
One of my co-workers, a Spanish woman, served to me a wonderful Spanish wine (didn't get to see the bottle, but was a deep red) with our cheese platter that had a spicey excellence. Since we live here in Paris, I'm trying to find something similar among the French wines.
What are the spicey grape varieties generally?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Puccino