2005 Rioja Graciano
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
100% Graciano, single vineyard, 13 months in French and Hungarian oak. Black as black. Fragrant, violet-laden ripe dark fruit, with the merest hint of cedary freshness on the nose and just slightly minty. Rich, concentrated beautifully pure fruit and a long, fresh refined finish. Very classy fruit, very well crafted. Delicious. It probably has a longer life than this but I'd drink it while it still has such fresh purity. Elegance and depth. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining ruby. Strongly perfumed bouquet of cherry-cola, graphite, licorice and cured tobacco. Deep, smoky cherry and dark berry flavors are braced by zesty minerals and sweetened by vanillin oak. Becomes sweeter and creamier with air but maintains focus, finishing with excellent mineral cut. Manages to be both energetic and rich, not to mention seductively sweet. Hands off this wine for at least another six or seven years, to let the oak settle down.
Freshly perfumed with sweet black and red fruit, much less balsamic than the Contino Viña el Olivo. Juicy, sweet perfumed fruit on the mid palate. Good acidity and silky texture. Mouthwateringly fresh. (JH)