2003 Gracia
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Tasting notes
What an amazing wine from then-sculptor, Michel Gracia. A blend of 80% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, this 2003 has aged brilliantly, proving that some of these garagiste wines are the stuff of great success stories. A deep plum/purple color is followed by notes of smoky barbecue embers, black currants, blackberries, coffee and chocolate. This fresh, full-bodied, still intact St.-Emilion must have come primarily from limestone soils given its vigor and freshness. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good medium red. Burnished aromas of cherry, roasted coffee and leather. Sweet and supple in the middle, with high-toned flavors of redcurrant and oak spices. Nicely juicy and fruit-driven for 2003, if not particularly fleshy. The fresh finish features serious dusty tannins that reach the teeth.
Bright ruby-red. Fresh aromas of dark raspberry and cherry; not at all in the roasted style of the year. Superconcentrated and densely packed, with lush, sweet red fruit flavors that are already quite compelling. This finishes with substantial building tannins that should not get in the way of enjoying this wine in its youth. The yield here, according to Gracia, was a microscopic 13.5 hectoliters per hectare. This is 13.5% alcohol, but then the 2002 is even higher.
Bright medium ruby. Deep aromas of black raspberry, leather, smoke and game. Fresh on entry, then dense, powerful and penetrating in the mid-palate, with lively dark berry and licorice flavors. Finishes with fine, building tannins and excellent length and grip. Promises to be the best wine yet under this label.