Abel Mendoza Graciano Grano a Grano 2016

The second vintage of this red blend, the 2016 Graciano-Garnacha Grano a Grano was produced with grapes from individual vines of Graciano that are intermixed in different vineyards with other varieties that represent some 40% of the volume and Garnacha from 40+-year-old vines. It fermented destemmed and uncrushed after being destemmed by hand. Here, he has found a way to make the Graciano more approachable and to provide a serious touch to Garnacha, and the combination, even though unusual, seems to work quite well. In 2016, it shows the profile of the vintage—fresh and elegant—and there is the peppery touch from Graciano and the voluptuousness—relatively speaking—of the Garnacha. This is from a cooler, more Atlantic year, with more tension and freshness. 1,600 bottles were filled in May 2018. - Luis Gutiérrez. 

The only blended red in the bodega's line up, this cuvée of Garnacha with 40% Graciano all comes from   vineyards above 500 metres in San Vicente. It's quite a firm, austere, wellstructured wine with some meaty, savoury tannins, taut acidity and plenty of life. 2022-30