We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – “The lively 2019 Graciano wants to showcase the naked variety with high natural acidity with the balsamic character amplified by the use of Caucasian oak barrels for the élevage. It has 13% alcohol in a warm and dry year when the grapes ripened properly and kept a pH of 3.21 and 7.2 grams of acidity. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats and matured in oak barrels for 16 months.” - Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate
About This Wine
Organic. This rare, fine and perfumed Rioja grape comprises barely two per cent of total plantings in La Rioja Alta. Valenciso is lucky enough to farm several old-vine Graciano parcels based around the villages of Haro and Ollauri. Due to the cooler, Atlantic-influenced climate of northern Rioja, Graciano sometimes has to fight to ripen fully, and so this wine is only released in exceptional vintages. 2019 was one of those years, when the long growing season afforded slow and even ripening conditions.
This 2019 is just the second release, yet it’s already well up to the quality of this estate’s other releases. Naturally fermented in concrete vats and aged for 24 months in low-impact Russian oak.
A cracking showcase for the dark-fruited personality, freshness and structure that define the variety. A top-drawer, serious Rioja and made to age, with sweet tobacco, balsamic and plummy intensity.
Type | Red Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Graciano |
Country | Spain |
Region | Rioja |
Brand | Valenciso |
Vintage | 2019 |
Wines of Spain
With 2.9 million acres of land planted in wine grapes, Spain is the most widely planted wine producing nation and second largest producer in the world. Many styles of wine are produced in the country most of which are based on native grape varietals.
The two most famous regions are Rioja and Ribera del Duero for their Tempranillo production. Rioja Tempranillo (the classic) will be lighter and fresher with red fruit flavours as compared to those from Ribera del Duero that are often deep purple, higher in alcohol with more tannins and intense black fruit character. Rioja is also known for producing Garnacha (Grenache), as well as rich, nutty whites from the indigenous Viura varietal.
In the Catalonia region, Spain is recognized for making a sparkling wine in the traditional method but using native grape varieties. This is called Cava. Priorat, a subregion within Catalonia specializes in making still red blends of Garnacha, Carignan and often Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in a bold and full-bodied style. Together with Rioja, wines from Priorat have achieved DOCa/DOQ status signifying their quality.
Sherry is Spain’s famous fortified wine which can either be completely dry, lusciously sweet or somewhere in between. This is made in the southern region of Jerez.
Other notable Spanish wine styles include: Monastrell (AKA. Mataro/Mourvèdre), produced in the Jumilla region and refreshing white Albariño and Verdejo from north western Galacia.