Inspiration
This is our second release of Graciano, a
rare varietal in California but widely planted in several wine regions of
Spain. After tasting our first vintage I became enamored with the varietal’s
unique aroma and flavor profile.
The
Harvest
The weather during the 2019 growing season
and harvest was cool. This extended ripening time allowed the grapes to fully
mature. The Graciano grapes were
harvested on October 21st with a sugar content of 23.1 Brix.
Winemaking
The grapes were entirely destemmed and
crushed into a small, open top fermenter. After a two-day cold soak period, the
must was inoculated with yeast to begin fermentation, which lasted 7 days. The
wine was then pressed off to a tank for settling and later racked to neutral
French oak barrels for aging. Just prior to bottling I blended in a small
amount of Grenache, or Garnacha as it is referred to in Spain, for added
complexity. The wine was filtered and bottled in August 2020.
The
Wine
The wine
has a vivid, medium-dark ruby color. The aromas can be described as a complex
mix of leather and black cherries with hints of cloves and cinnamon in the
background. On the palate the wine is light to medium-bodied with flavors of
currants and black cherries. The moderate tannins and high acidity give the
wine a crisp and lingering finish.
Food
Pairings
This wine will pair well with duck, roasted
chicken and would be an excellent accompaniment to Thanksgiving Day turkey,
with all the trimmings.
