Bodegas Caudalia, Xi'ipal Graciano Gracia Vid 2015
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91+
View from the Cellar
The 2015 Xi’ipal Graciano “Gracia Vid” from Bodegas Caudalia is not made from particularly old vines, as these were only planted twelve years ago, but on a fine vineyard of stony limestone soils. Like all of the Xi’ipal bottlings, the vines are farmed organically (though not yet certified) and the wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts and raised in five hundred liter French oak puncheons for eighteen months prior to bottling. The 2015 Graciano comes in at fourteen percent octane and is a lovey example of this underrated varietal, offering up a complex nose of raspberries, cherries, a touch of garrigue, smoked meats, a lovely base of soil, a touch of bonfire and a discreet framing of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, complex and very nicely balanced, with a good core, fine soil signature, moderate tannins and a long, tangy and focused finish. This is good juice. 2018-2040+.
Smoky spicy black-fruit aromas are at max ripeness for Graciano. A tight, somewhat narrow palate is typical of this acid-driven variety. Reduced flavors of plum and cherry come with hints of chocolate and cola. Lastly, a loaded finish is racy and fruity, though not that deep. Drink through 2020.
Quite a complex Navarra red with redcurrant and plum aromas, plus lemon-zest freshness. Good concentration and quite a long, crisp and dry finish. Drink now or hold.
Inky ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, dark berries, pot-pourri and vanilla, along with a building oak spice note. Rich, palate-coating blackberry, bitter cherry and violet pastille flavors are complicated by spice and mineral notes that expand with air. Closes on a youthful, tannic note, showing very good clarity and leaving a sweet dark berry note behind. (Fermented in concrete tanks and raised in a used 400-liter French oak barrel for 14 months.) Drink 2020-2027.
This 100% Graciano wine (vines 12 years old) was aged for 18 months in large puncheons before bottling. Vines are set on large limestone, which adds to the mineral quality in the wine. This shows really good balance on the palate, with an exceedingly long citrus and red fruit driven finish. Let this sit in a decanter for an hour prior to enjoying.
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