Bodegas Exopto Rioja La Mimbrera Graciano 2021

La Mimbrera Graciano is a varietal bottling of a grape that accounts for barely 2% of Rioja's plantings.

Graciano is late-ripening, low-yielding and awkward to grow, which is why it survives mostly as a small blending component; Tom Puyaubert has long argued its case in Rioja's Atlantic-influenced terroirs, where it keeps its acidity and aromatic lift. This small parcel sits within the older La Mimbrera vineyard at Abalos, planted at 5,000 vines per hectare and carrying some sentimental weight as the first vineyard Puyaubert planted there. The grapes are destemmed and fermented naturally in old oak, spend two weeks on skins and then age for 18 months in the same 600-litre barrels, a size and age of wood chosen to shape texture without adding flavour. Puyaubert regards this as the best Graciano he has made: fine-grained, with herb and redcurrant character, chalky intensity, sculpted tannins and a long finish edged with garrigue and liquorice.

Drinking well now and built to age for a decade. Serve at 16-18°C with roast lamb, duck or a mushroom and thyme tart.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.