Graciano Grape:
The Graciano grape has long been fundamental to the wine industry in Rioja. Winemakers depend on it to add a wonderful floral bouquet and complexity to their blends. Rarely has it been used on its own. Several years ago we noticed that our estate grown Graciano vineyards, which surround the town of Alfaro, were capable of producing a wine which exemplifies the best that the grape has to offer. The deep, almost opaque color, the exuberant aromas and luscious flavors of blackberries and cherries tell you this is not a wine to be taken lightly but rather it should be enjoyed to its fullest.
The grapes for this wine come from vineyards that are approximately 20 years old. The vines are planted in the vaso system on chalky soils located at 600 m (1,969 ft.) above sea level.
Vinification:
The grapes are hand-harvested into small baskets to prevent bruising. The bunches are brought to triage tables for selection of only the healthiest, ripest grapes.
The fermentation temperature is between 68°F and 77°F. The long slow maceration enables us to extract great aroma and color potential. The complexity of the wine is enhanced by malolactic fermentation. - Winery
The 2015 Rio Madre Graciano is the red version of this and is 100% Graciano aged about ten months in French oak prior to being bottled. It is a large-production cuvée coming from the chalky alluvial soils of their 49 acres of vineyards. Deep ruby/purple with licorice and dark berry fruit in abundance, this lush, ripe, straightforward wine is mouthfilling and rich. Drink over the next 2-3 years. -
Robert Parker 86 Points