Paxton Graciano 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Peppercorn & Violet Lift

A wonderfully distinctive alternative red from McLaren Vale. Paxton Graciano 2023 is fragrant with white pepper, Kakadu plum, dried violets and marjoram, leading into juicy stewed rhubarb, subtle spice and bright, unwavering acidity. It is lighter and fresher than the region’s classic Shiraz, with gentle tannins and restrained used French oak keeping the fruit beautifully defined. Certified organic and biodynamic, vegan friendly and awarded 94 points from Wine Orbit, this is a smart choice when you want a red with perfume, savouriness and genuine energy.

Highlights

• Certified Organic & Biodynamic and vegan friendly
• Crafted by Paxton Wines — family-owned McLaren Vale estate established in 1979
• 94 Points Wine Orbit
• 91 Points The Real Review
• Single-vineyard Graciano from Paxton’s Thomas Block
• Seven months maturation in used French oak puncheons
• 12.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Fragrant white pepper leads the nose, joined by Kakadu plum, dried violets and a lovely herbal note of marjoram. The palate moves towards juicy stewed rhubarb and red fruit, with subtle spice running underneath. Vibrant acidity is a defining feature, giving the wine tremendous freshness, while gentle tannins and a silky texture keep everything light on its feet. The finish is long, mouth-watering and savoury, with pepper and herbs lingering after the fruit.

Winemaking

Graciano is a late-ripening variety and Paxton’s cool Thomas Block vineyard allows it to develop slowly. The 2023 fruit was fermented at cool temperatures in open fermenters at the beginning of April, with the ferment hand plunged and tasted daily for 17 days before pressing. Malolactic fermentation took place in used French oak puncheons, where the wine then matured for seven months before blending and bottling. Ashleigh Seymour was winemaker for the 2023 release.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from Paxton’s Thomas Block in McLaren Vale. David Paxton originally grafted a row of Graciano onto old Chardonnay vines at this site after researching the Spanish variety and its potential suitability to the region. The 2023 season was unusually cool, wet and slow, with harvest running around three weeks later than average. Yields were small, but the extended ripening period produced wines with excellent natural acidity, delicate layered flavours, brightness and longevity — qualities particularly well suited to Graciano.

Why We Love It

Graciano is one of those varieties that makes you wonder why we don’t drink more of it. This has perfume, spice and juicy fruit, but its real charm is the freshness: vibrant acidity and gentle tannins give it a lively, elegant shape that is miles away from a heavy McLaren Vale red. The white pepper, violets and savoury herbs make every glass interesting, and the 94-point Wine Orbit score confirms there is serious quality behind all that personality.

Food Pairing

That combination of vibrant acidity, gentle tannins and aromatic spice makes Graciano unusually good with chilli, fragrant herbs and strongly seasoned dishes. It can handle spice without overwhelming the food, while its juicy red fruit provides contrast.

Try matching this wine with →

• Thai red curry with duck — Find a Recipe
• Sichuan eggplant — Find a Recipe
• Korean spicy pork — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

The bottle to open when everyone else reaches automatically for Shiraz. Fragrant, spicy and a little unexpected, it is particularly good with a table full of boldly flavoured food and friends who enjoy discovering something different.

Cellaring

Excellent to drink now for its vivid perfume, juicy fruit and energetic acidity. Paxton gives this wine genuine medium-term ageing potential, with careful cellaring capable of taking it well beyond five years. For maximum freshness and varietal character, drinking through approximately 2028–2033 is a very comfortable window.

Producer

Paxton Wines is a family-owned McLaren Vale estate established by viticulturist David Paxton in 1979. Its vineyards are farmed under certified organic and biodynamic principles, with an emphasis on healthy living soils, biodiversity and resilient vines rather than synthetic agricultural inputs. Graciano is a particularly good example of Paxton’s willingness to look beyond McLaren Vale’s traditional varieties: after researching this late-ripening Spanish grape, David Paxton grafted a row onto old Chardonnay vines at the cooler Thomas Block vineyard to test its suitability. The experiment worked, and Graciano now forms part of Paxton’s Mediterranean Collection.

Related Wines To Try →

If Graciano’s fragrant, savoury personality appeals, continue exploring Paxton’s Mediterranean varieties and lighter red styles:

• Silky Spanish variety with dark fruit and savoury spice — Paxton Tempranillo
• Juicy, crunchy and designed to drink lightly chilled — Paxton Queen of the Hive Light Red
• Perfumed McLaren Vale red with bright fruit and spice — Paxton Grenache

FAQ

What does Paxton Graciano 2023 taste like?

White pepper, Kakadu plum, dried violets and marjoram lead into juicy stewed rhubarb and subtle spice. It is bright and relatively light-bodied, with lively acidity, gentle tannins and a long savoury finish.

What exactly is Graciano?

Graciano is a red grape native to Spain and particularly associated with Rioja, where it has traditionally been used in blends with Tempranillo. Paxton lets the variety stand alone, showing its naturally aromatic, peppery and high-acid personality through a McLaren Vale lens.

Is this wine dry and what are the tannins like?

Yes, this is a dry red, with Paxton reporting approximately 3 g/L residual sugar for the 2023 release. Its tannins are gentle rather than firm, while the acidity is distinctly bright and mouth-watering.

Is Paxton Graciano organic, biodynamic and vegan?

Yes. The bottle is certified biodynamic and certified organic and explicitly states that the wine is vegan friendly. The fruit comes from Paxton’s organically and biodynamically managed Thomas Block vineyard.

Does Paxton Graciano contain preservatives or sulphites?

Yes. The 2023 bottle states that it contains sulphites, so it is not a preservative-free wine. If avoiding added sulphur is important to you, browse our No Added Preservative wines instead.

How should I serve Paxton Graciano?

Serve around 14–16°C in a medium-sized red wine glass; a slight chill really suits its bright fruit and peppery perfume. It does not require lengthy decanting, although 15–20 minutes of air will allow the violet, herb and spice characters to open.

Can Paxton Graciano 2023 be cellared?

Yes. Its naturally vibrant acidity gives it more ageing potential than the light tannins might initially suggest. It is delicious now, but careful cellaring over the medium term should bring more savoury and earthy complexity.

What food pairs best with Graciano?

Paxton specifically recommends curries and spicy Asian-style dishes. Thai curries, Sichuan eggplant, Korean pork, tomato-rich Mediterranean food and smoky grilled vegetables all make excellent partners.

Who will love this wine?

This is ideal for anyone who enjoys lighter, fragrant reds with freshness and savoury detail rather than sheer power. If you like Tempranillo, Grenache, cool-climate Syrah or peppery European reds, this is a particularly interesting Australian alternative.

How long will Paxton Graciano last after opening?

Seal the bottle and keep it refrigerated and it should drink well for around 3–4 days. Its naturally high acidity helps preserve freshness, but the floral and red-fruit aromatics are at their most vivid during the first couple of days.

(SKU: PX_GRA_CV)