 Château ist als Bezeichnung fast schon ein wenig übertrieben. Es handelt sich bei dem mitten in St. Emilion gelegenen Weingut eher um ein Châteuchen - gerade mal knapp zwei Hektar stehen unter Reben, gerade mal gute 400 Kisten verlassen Jahr für Jahr den Betrieb. Dabei habe ich mich schon manchmal gefragt, ob der Aufwand noch ganz normal ist, den der Besitzer Michel Gracia bei seiner Weinbereitung treibt. So eine penible Lese habe ich zumindest noch nie gesehen. Hier berührt keine Kiste mit Trauben mehr den Boden, die beiden Kinder Gracias, Caroline und Marina schneiden bereits im Weinberg jede nur ein bisschen auffällige Beere von der Traube. Die Cuvée besteht aus 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc und 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bis zu 20 Monate verbringt der Wein in neuen Barriques.
94-96 THE WINEADVOCATE: "Deep purple-black in color, the 2019 Gracia sings of freshly crushed black plums, warm blueberries and black cherry preserves with touches of chocolate mint, cardamom, lavender and fragrant soil. Full-bodied, the decadently fruited palate is laden with vibrant black and blue fruits, supported by wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins and bold freshness, finishing with great length and depth."
92 DECANTER: "Inky colour, on the palate you get a nuanced display of limestone freshness and sappy fruit. This closes in on the finish as you would hope in a clay-limestone St Emilion, and has beautifully teased out blackberry notes alongside supple tannins. Spice from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc gives focus to the finish. Recommended. Harvest September 30 to October 10. Just 1.8ha and a yield of 25hl/ha, so not a big production here. Heavy bottle, a reminder of the never-say-die philosophy of a wine that was once a leading light of the garagiste movement."
92-93 JAMES SUCKLING: "A vivid, juicy red with redcurrants and firm tannins. This is really nicely formed and bright. Subtle and vivid."
92-94 ANTONIO GALLONI: " The 2019 Gracia has a very understated bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, light violet and iris scents, not as hedonistic as I have found other recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and bright black fruit laced with graphite and a precise, quite sustained finish. Classy, very classy." - Neal Martin
92-94 ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2019 Gracia is a heady, exotic wine, not to mention a real head-turner. Blackberry jam, pencil shavings, licorice, plum, menthol, chocolate and espresso are all amped up in this unabashedly flamboyant Saint-Émilion. The 2019 finishes with serious intensity and substance. Aged in 70% new French oak, Gracia is one of the more flamboyant wines of the year. Tasted two times."
92-94 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Fresh, bright, spiced, juicy fruits with smoke, leaf and thyme accents are all over the place here. Medium-bodied, fruity, sweet and with that all-important freshness, the wine ends with a plum and cocoa lifted finish."
94-96 JEB DUNNUCK: "Mostly Merlot, but with a splash of Cabernet Franc, the deep purple 2019 Château Gracia has a pure, precise yet powerful bouquet of violets, sappy herbs, crushed stone, and both blue and black fruits. Very floral, medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and beautiful balance, it´s another elegant yet concentrated wine from this estate."
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Aschauer Str. 3-5