In the glass
Aroma: blackberry, black pepper, violet, balsamic, herb
Palate: dark fruit, firm tannin, spice, mineral
A rare varietal old-vine Graciano: dark, peppery and structured with vivid acidity, showcasing a grape usually confined to blends.
What it pairs with
-
Venison loin
Dark game meets the peppery, structured Graciano. -
Chuleton de buey
Find chuleton de buey on TableJourney →
Aged-beef chop frames the firm tannin. -
Aged Manchego
Hard cheese balances the grip and acidity.
How to serve Amaren Graciano
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Venison loin, Chuleton de buey, Aged Manchego. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Amaren Graciano is a varietal old-vine Graciano, part of the premium Luis Canas family project.
- 2001 — Amaren Graciano introduced
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Amaren
- Grapes
- Graciano (100%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 months in new French oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2001
Scores
- Tim Atkin 93 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Amaren Graciano
What does Amaren Graciano taste like?
On the nose, blackberry, black pepper, violet, balsamic, herb. On the palate, dark fruit, firm tannin, spice, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A rare varietal old-vine Graciano: dark, peppery and structured with vivid acidity, showcasing a grape usually confined to blends.
When should I drink Amaren Graciano?
Drink 6 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Amaren Graciano?
Venison loin is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey and Aged Manchego. Dark game meets the peppery, structured Graciano.
Is Amaren Graciano vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Amaren Graciano?
The blend is Graciano (100%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.