Storm King Wine Co Mataro Graciano 2021

 

Medium-bodied red fruit driven Mataro meets a muscular Graciano in this 80/20 blend. A new label from the Granite Belt, these Storm King Wine Co wines have landed on the scene with a respectable presence. Debuting with three wines in the range (including Vermentino & Shiraz Malbec), considered winemaking with wines such as these continue to raise the profile of the Queensland industry.

Steels Gate Graciano 2019

Graciano! This is really enjoyable stuff. I could have a couple of glasses easy.

Red Heads Blue Belle Graciano 2018

Graciano can be a blockbuster and blow you out of the park. Not so with this example I found.

Ravens Croft Graciano Rosé 2019

A new wine added to the Ravens Croft stable this vintage.

Samuel's Gorge Graciano 2018

Luscious Graciano. It just feels so good. Gimme more please - a whole lot more.

Atze's Corner Wild Rose Rosé 2018

A tidy Rosé ticking the refreshment factor box.

Lobethal Road Tempranillo Graciano 2017

A glass of this was thrust in front of me when visiting a pub recently. My friend went asking for a Grenache and came back with this - a Tempranillo Graciano blend. The person behind the bar convinced her it was the same... Not so, but a good excuse to have a look at a label I haven't seen for what seems an eternity.

Samuel’s Gorge Kaleidoscope Horizons Grenache Tempranillo Graciano 2016

Winemaker Justin McNamee says this is the blockbuster in his range. It sure is. An interesting blend that just works, large plates of soul food are must by your side with a large pour of this in the glass.

Samuel's Gorge Graciano 2017

Gee this put on a show with some air under its wings. Over a few days I was captivated by its development. Say hello to the fourth release of this Graciano.

Savina Lane Lady of Spain Graciano 2015

This is the only Graciano grown in Queensland with the next closest vineyard in Mudgee, NSW. Weighing in at only 12.7% alc, there's a bigger frame on the bones than one would expect.

Samuel's Gorge Graciano 2016

Stretch you interest levels a little further and be prepared to be rewarded. A smooth and seductive wine from a variety not that often seen standing on its own two feet in Australia.

Angove Alternatus Rosé 2017

A dry, Spanish inspired Rosé made up of  Grenache (36%) Tempranillo (26%) Vermentino (18%) Graciano (10%) and Carignan (10%).

Vinifera Organic Graciano 2015

I received a sample pack highlighting 'Mudgee's Red Diversity'. Included was a heap of information including the history of the region dating back to 1858. A list of varieties and the corresponding hectares planted was also shared but it seems Graciano didn't make the cut. I can only assume Vinifera have the only plantings in the region.

Savina Lane Lamiro Lady of Spain Graciano 2013

The only Graciano on the Granite Belt and it hits the spot. There's a magnetism about it. Great stuff.

Margan Breaking Ground Tempranillo Graciano Shiraz 2015

Tasty wine. A field blend of three varieties all inter-planted with one another. Planting took place in 2010.

d'Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock Sparkling NV

I was once told Chambourcin is like eating a wet newspaper. Sometimes perceptions are best left at the door. This has Chambourcin. And Shiraz. And Graciano. Not a bad aperitif this.

Angove AMV-X Tempranillo Mataro Grenache Graciano 2016

The labels in this new AMV-X range are certainly eye catching. This design is said to represent the hued spring sunsets over the gulf of St Vincent.

Savina Lane Reserve Graciano 2014

Savina Lane is the newest edition to the Granite Belt winery scene and sits on the site formerly known as Back Pocket. A new cellar door was built and some additional varieties were added to the vineyard. All wines are made by Mike Hayes at Symphony Hill.

This soon to be released Graciano comes off estate plantings.

Sprayed with peppery spice, dark cherries, red fruits are juicy and plump. Acidity sits high, the same place as the drinkability - high! A touch of black berry fruit creeps up before being side swiped by a citrusy type tang hanging large giving that moreish appeal.

I could make friends with this very easily, but $55 a bottle is a hard sell for mine, even if members are offered $45. They'll sell them though. 1030 bottles produced.

Drink now to the next three to five years.

91/100 - Very good

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $55
Source: Sample

www.savinalanewines.com.au

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Angove Alternatus Rosé 2016

A bit of a fruit salad of sorts here. Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, Carnignan (75/18/4.6/2.4) make up the blend. Credit to the wine making team for being so precise with the percentages too - bonus points for the decimals :)

All fruit came from a range of McLaren Vale sites. The Grenache and Tempranillo were co-fermented, and along with the Graciano, all spent 8 hours on skins. The Carignan was simply bled off Saignee style from a red wine ferment.

Spring time picnics here we go. Loaded with red berries and red fruit, it's a dry style Rosé that's fresh and lively with a delectable textural ripple. The fruit kicks through to a sustained finish. Chill it down hard and pour generously.

Drink now and big smiles are soon to follow.

89/100 - Good+

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $22
Source: Sample

www.angove.com.au

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Margan Breaking Ground Tempranillo Graciano Shiraz 2014

A tasty slurp but an expensive one at that for forty bucks. Shell out the $$ and you won't be disappointed though.

Blended at 80/15/5, it's juicy, moreish and finishes with a dash of spice and sapping dryness. Dark berry fruit drive through the core here and sit mid palate like a postage stamp. A crunchy/crisp/lemony like acidity knocks it into shape.

No need to cellar this, rip in now.

Very good.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $30
Source: Sample

www.margan.com.au

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