Baron de Ley 2014 Graciano 750ml

This is an all graciano rioja from the Baron de Lay Varietales series. Back in the day graciano and mazuelo were routinely found in Rioja blends but graciano has fallen out of favour over the years in the same way malbec has disappeared from Bordeaux. Look for a fun combination of black fruit and bright acidity flecked with dried herbs and a touch, but not too much, vanilla. It spends 12-15 months in wood but remains juicy and bright with light tannins. A perfect wine for lamb chops.

Score: 89 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi On Wine, Sept 2017