Abel Mendoza Graciano Garnacha Grano a Grano 2022

Abel Mendoza Monje farms 18 hectares of organic vines on the banks of the Ebro at San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in the Sonsierra district of Rioja Alta. The plots here are rough and mixed, alternating clay, marl and fine sandstone, and the clay holds water through a moderately continental summer cooled by Cantabrian influence from the north. That maritime moderation slows ripening and keeps acidity firm, while Graciano contributes its naturally high acid and dark pigment to the softer, riper Garnacha. The wine spends 18 months in French oak, a long élevage that rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and folds in cedar and spice without masking the fruit. The colour is dark cherry with garnet edges. The nose leads with black cherry and plum over black pepper, dried herbs and liquorice, with leather and a faint graphite note from the stony soils. The palate is medium to full, the acidity bright and the tannins fine grained, closing long and savoury. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged sheep's cheese.