Paxton Graciano 2019

Graciano is a Spanish varietal grown primarily in the Rioja region. After some research David Paxton decided to graft one row of Graciano onto some old Chardonnay vines at Thomas Block to see what the result would be. When you try this wine, we think you will agree that the variety is well suited to the conditions of McLaren Vale.

Lighter in body with distinct savoury and white pepper characters filled out with bright red fruits. Light tannins make this wine ready to drink young, although cellaring potential is in the medium term.

 

COLOUR: Bright purple hue

AROMA: A delicious floral bouquet of lavender, with green peppercorns and a delightful white pepper and spice finish.

PALATE: Medium bodied style with strawberries, licorice and cinnamon spice. Bright red fruit, with a juicy mouth-watering palate, balanced by delicate French oak giving a silky velvet finish.

DRINK WITH: Tomato-based pasta dishes

CELLARING: A fantastic wine to drink when young, however careful cellaring of 5-15 years will be rewarded.

 

WINEMAKING & VINTAGE

VINTAGE: 2019 Vintage was one of the harder vintages we have experienced in many years. Below-average rainfall over spring and virtually no rain during summer saw a heavy reliance on irrigation. This together with a severe hail storm in November, the hottest day in South Australia since 2009 and regular maximum temperatures over 36 degree Celsius in February made for some challenges. However, our close proximity to the St Vincent Gulf did help moderate some extreme weather events. All in all we saw smaller tonnages with more intense flavour in the fruit due to very little water content in the grapes. Another consistent year for Pinot Gris and Grenache, with early signs the Shiraz will carry great density of fruit flavours.

 

VINIFICATION: Selector harvested at optimum sugar and flavour balance, the whole berries are tipped into 5t open top fermenters. A slow, cool ferment helped capture the character of the vineyard and a combination of pump overs and plunging for 13 days enhanced the tannin profile. When fermentation was finished the grapes were pressed to mature in 10% new French oak barriques for maturation of 9 months prior to blending and bottling.

 

VARIETY: Graciano

100%: Organic | Biodynamic

REGION: McLaren Vale

VINEYARD: Thomas Block

ALCOHOL: 13.5%

PH: 3.46

TA: 5.9/L

TOTAL S02: 70ppm

WINEMAKER: Richard Freebairn