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100% Graciano--ever had one?

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Jenise

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100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Jenise » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:42 pm

The most head-turning wines of our three week trip to Europe (ten days St. Emilion, ten days Spain, and 24 hours in Dubai) were 1) a 100% Graciano at Contino in Rioja, and 2) the ridiculous goodness of wine available for just 2E a glass, if that much, when you just ask for "tinto" at just about any bar in Spain.

That Graciano...never had one before, had NO idea what it tasted like. But it was mindblowing--so different, so exotic, and yet all in ways that were acceptably within the parameters of major fine wine and not odd at all. Pourers at other wineries brought the Contino up too, so it's a local wonder of the moment. But it's 65E a bottle, so they know what they've got.

I discovered that a little Graciano is being grown in Washington, but it's being purposed into blends 10% here or there, just like Spain. Contino's version says it deserves to be a stand-alone variety.

But whoever sees it?
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Tim York

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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Tim York » Sat Oct 13, 2018 1:36 pm

Jenise, I have had Contino Graciano a couple of times many years ago (probably vintages from the 90s) but I don't remember much about them, which suggests that my experiences were less outstanding than yours. The grape is said to add structure and ageing potential to the Rioja blend.

Thinking that it was about time I had another look, I just checked out a couple of Spanish web sellers but cannot improve on 65€/bottle + transport for the 2014.
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Joe Moryl » Sat Oct 13, 2018 5:04 pm

Yeah, I've had some nice Graciano wines, and the variety is gaining popularity in Spain. It is apparently hard to grow, and the joke is the name comes from growers saying 'Gracias, no!'. Never had the Contino because of the $$, but there is a cheap Rioja Rio Madre Graciano from Bodegas Ilucre which was punching above its price when I had it a few years back (probably '12 or '13 vintages). It appears to be widely available around here. Also good at the affordable end is Bhilar Lagrimas de Graciano, but that one might be harder to find.

I love the bucket of BTG bottles of various types that sits on the average bar in Spain. Very easy and cheap to experiment with whatever is available - that is how I came to appreciate the Vinos de Madrid/Gredos Garnachas. I'm normally not much of a Grenache lover, so buying a whole bottle of Spanish Garnacha is not something I would normally do, but man, there are some interesting ones being made up in them thar hills!
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Yup..

by TomHill » Sat Oct 13, 2018 5:17 pm

Louisa Lindquist’s EdnaVlly Graciano is lovely.
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:05 am

Hazy notes from the past here, think one or two?
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Peter May » Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:54 am

In Rioja in 2015 we visited Bodegas Primicia* in the old hill-top fortified tow of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa

Among their wines they ake 4 varietals of the Rioja grapes, Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha and Graciano.

It was the latter that impressed me enough to buy to bring back on the plane. The 2012 cost €9 at the winery. Lovely variety, lovely wine.

* www.bodegascasaprimicia
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Victorwine » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:23 pm

With a name like "Graciano" (pleasing, blessed, beloved) you would think it would be a "stand- alone" variety.

Salute
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Robin Garr » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:50 pm

I missed this table at a big portfolio tasting last year, but Bhilar Lagrimas de Graciano was a big hit. Skurnik is one of the importers, so it ought to be findable around NYC at least.
https://www.skurnik.com/sku/rioja-lagri ... as-bhilar/
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by kasey.dubler » Mon Oct 15, 2018 1:52 pm

I picked up a bottle of Bodegas Ondalán Oyón Rioja 100 Abades recently which is 100% Graciano I believe, but haven't opened it yet, I think I know what I'm doing this weekend...
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Jenise » Mon Oct 15, 2018 2:55 pm

Peter May wrote:In Rioja in 2015 we visited Bodegas Primicia* in the old hill-top fortified tow of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa

Among their wines they ake 4 varietals of the Rioja grapes, Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha and Graciano.

It was the latter that impressed me enough to buy to bring back on the plane. The 2012 cost €9 at the winery. Lovely variety, lovely wine.

* http://www.bodegascasaprimicia


Interesting! Stayed a night in Laguardia but missed finding out that there's a winery there. I'll bet it was interesting to taste the Mazuelo too--no idea what that brings to a blend, but many/most use a little.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Jenise » Mon Oct 15, 2018 2:58 pm

kasey.dubler wrote:I picked up a bottle of Bodegas Ondalán Oyón Rioja 100 Abades recently which is 100% Graciano I believe, but haven't opened it yet, I think I know what I'm doing this weekend...


Cool! Report back!
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Bob Parsons Alberta

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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Wed Jan 16, 2019 11:06 pm

Would be nice to hear your views! I am in a Graciano mood :D
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John S

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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by John S » Thu Jan 17, 2019 1:45 am

The Rioja Rio Madre Graciano mentioned above used to be available in the BCLDB, but I don't think it is anymore. I did try a bottle, and it was definitely interesting and different.
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by wnissen » Thu Jan 17, 2019 2:31 pm

Given the confusion between Graciano and Mourvedre / Monastrell, maybe I have had a "mourvedre" that was graciano...
https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/articl ... 132432.php
Would love to try a varietal graciano that was labeled as such, though!
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:50 pm

Great response, keep em coming.
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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Jenise » Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:11 pm

I picked this one up locally. Quite opposite of the wonderful Contino: 2015 Principe de Viana Graciano (Tinto Roble), Navarra
Tastes like someone made wine out of the grape soda of my childhood. $13, not recommended.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Paul Winalski

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Re: 100% Graciano--ever had one?

by Paul Winalski » Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:14 pm

The only varietal graciano that I've had was the Lustau NV Tintilla de Rota red sherry.

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