Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2006:
‘Brilliant gold. Honey, orange pith, dried pear and toasted nuts on the deeply perfumed nose. Broad, fleshy and dry, offering bitter citrus zest, pear skin, brown butter, vanilla and candied ginger flavors and a touch of smokiness. Shows an intriguing juxtaposition of rich, ripe fruit and firm, dry and nutty character, in the vein of a Vin Jaune from the Jura. Closes long and chewy, featuring lingering beeswax, caramel and pear nectar qualities. This singular, oxidative wine definitely isn't for everybody.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 91/100 (Apr 2017)

‘The warmer 2006 Viña Gravonia Crianza, a white inspired by the wines from Graves (hence the name), is pure Viura matured in well-seasoned oak barrels for four years and bottled unfiltered in November 2011. The nose does not transmit any heat whatsoever, showing notes of chamomile, beeswax, honey and aromatic herbs. The palate is sharp, medium-bodied with great acidity and freshness that is both clean and persistent; it is more austere than exuberant, which was a real surprise. Overall, it is tasty and supple. The Gravonia vineyard is very old and naturally-balanced, which shows in the wine. Against all odds, the 2006 is showing better than the 2005 today. Fantastic and a steal!’ - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2015)

2012:
‘Pale gold. Open aromas that characterise this long-barrel-aged white: fresh cedary notes, along with an intense aroma of green fruits and citrus and just the beginnings of the character found on the two previous vintages recently tasted – beeswax and honey but no sense of sweetness, of course. Seems fresher than both the 2010 and 2011 with a beautifully clean and still complex palate of taut citrus – lemon and lime – and cedar, freshly felled trees, and a little hint of sour citrus on the finish. Fills the mouth in a way you would not expect at 12.5% alcohol, with the generosity and roundness that I suspect comes more from the barrel than the fruit, although the harvest was late and volume on the low side, which might have added to the richness. Mouth-watering and persistent – the acidity vibrant (and harmonious), suggesting it will age even longer than the 2011. Less obviously oaky on the palate than the 2011. Long, lemon-lime aftertaste. Still very youthful and vibrant for a 9-year-old.’ – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (May 2021)

‘Vivid yellow-gold. Dried orchard and pit fruits, marzipan, buttered toast, vanilla, tarragon and pungent flowers on the intensely perfumed, spice-accented nose. Concentrated peach, pear nectar, orange pith, honey and vanilla flavors pick up a nutty quality with air. The vanilla and spice notes drive a very long, gently chewy finish that's firmed by a smoky mineral flourish.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 94/100 (Apr 2021)

‘2012 was a very complete vintage in Rioja, even if it was quite dry, and the 2012 Viña Gravonia Blanco shows superbly. It's very intense, with two levels of complexity, intensity and depth above the 2013 I tasted next to it. It has the textbook aromas of lanolin, diesel, mushroom, yellow dried flowers and chamomile, with perfect ripeness. The palate is round and glyceric, quite lush, and leaves your umami-laden mouth with a salty finish. This should develop nicely in bottle, one of the best vintages of Gravonia of recent times. The wine has 12.5% alcohol and amazing acidity measures.’ - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Oct 2020)