2020 Gracia
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Pure, cedary dark fruit. Vibrant, fresh, juicy and very smooth with lots of freshness to balance the full fruit. Harmonious and long, but the acidity sticks out a little. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Gracia doesn't quite have the delineation of the preceding 2020 Clos de l'Oratoire—this is a little smudged by comparison. The palate is high-toned with glossy black fruit and a sweet core of licorice and balsamic. It's structured but missing finesse on the slightly lactic finish. This needs more class. It showed very well from barrel, but this indicates something awry. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Blackberry, citrus and bark aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with creamy-textured tannins and a fresh finish. A little closed now, but will show nicely in four to five years. Try after 2027.
While certainly not up to previous vintages, the 2020 Château Gracia is nevertheless a beautiful wine. Black cherries, dried herbs, mulberries, and lots of spicy nuances define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, and building tannins. Straight, focused, and structured, which is certainly the vintage, I'd hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible, and it should drink well over the following decade.