Tag Archives: graciano

Bodegas Marques del Atrio Reserva 2015, Rioja DOCa, Spain

30 Monday May 2022

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


At 7 years of age this Tempranillo-Graciano blend is starting to show a hint of age.  Medium ruby colored with a touch of bricking in the glass.  The nose concurs- this bottle has medium intensity aromas of earth, leather, dust, prune, blackberry, vanilla, tobacco, cedar box, cinnamon and stewed red currants.  The palate is dry with gorgeous tannins that are very integrated.  The acidity is prominent with some sour red cherry notes to go alongside the numerous secondary and tertiary notes I got on the nose.  Medium bodied, this wine is silky and slips down ever-so-nicely to a somewhat tart yet long finish.  I really love Spanish Reservas- this is a great example that brings out that bramble and dust I get so often with Rioja wines.  I love it and will go with 93 points.  It will drink beautifully till 2028 at the least and pair well with lighter cuts of meat.  For  $16 this is a steal folks.  The pros dissed this one- more for me I say.  5 stars.  Salut….

Hacienda El Indiano 2011, Rioja DOCa, Spain

09 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


This Tempranillo blend is 10 years old but still showing youth in the glass- inky purple and opaque. The nose is classic Rioja with leather, bramble, blackberry and singed alder. I love that combo. The palate is showing just a touch of age with tertiary nuances popping up. Black currants, juicy acidity and medium strength tannins all greet me. The leather, alder and dried bramble notes are also present. The mid palate has a vanilla component as well as coffee bean. Black licorice hits me on the back end where the finish is a touch dry and long. Black cherry, blackberry and tertiary flavors are persistent, as is the juicy acidity and tannic grip. This wine was a steal at $12. It is still young and should drink nicely till 2027. I am pairing it with grilled Hanger steak, air fried potatoes and steamed asparagus. 90 points and 5 stars. Salut….

Vinos Sin-Ley Gra2 Graciano 2011, Rioja DOCa, Spain

31 Monday Aug 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


I don’t recall ever having a pure Graciano, it’s normally used as a blending grape.  In the glass it is a pale shade of purple and is fully opaque.  On the nose I get charred plums, black berries and a stewed fruit note.  The palate is interesting with brooding dark fruits, oak and a vanilla bean note. The tannic structure is very well ingrained in this 9 year old bottle.  They are present but not foreboding.  The black fruits show up on the mid palate with a touch of bitterness, there is a green note too.  On the finish is where I get some nice acidity to go with the oaky fruit compote.  There is a nice dryness on the back end from the tannins.  The wine is a pleasure to drink but that midpalate greeness has me concerned.  This will drink well till 2025 and pair nicely with pasta, roasted chicken and certainly grilled steak.  I’m going 89 points and 3 stars for the $12 price point.  Salut….