Gra A Gra gift set - Riesling & Chardonnay 2002 + Pinot Noir 2010

Gramona Gra A Gra - Riesling & Chardonnay 2002

In a year of high rainfall, the outlook for the vineyard was disastrous. While tensely waiting and monitoring the fields, in one of the vineyards Gramona detected Botrytis Noble in an experimental Atlantic variety.

Observing the exceptional evolution of the noble rot, Gramona decided to carry out a patient follow-up and finally incorporate the variety exceptionally, not as a precedent into the making of Gra a Gra, accompanying the usual Sauvignon Blanc, harvested from three hectares of vineyard located at 850 m altitude in rocky, calcareous soil.

Demanding, comprehensive criteria are imposed by the selection committee, made up of Gramona's technical staff and hardworking collaborators.   From each bunch, only the grapes that have reached the perfect degree of dehydration will be selected.  Fermentation in cask of fine grain French oak (blend from the Tronçais forests with capacity of 300 litres, untoasted bottoms with the rest of the staves being lightly toasted).

The yeast used is Saccharomyces cerevisae ST, especially for making wines with high sugar concentrations and special vinifications, such as the Sauternes wines.  Fermentation is slowly prolonged in cask for over two months until the natural halt, which helps to strike a natural alcohol -sugar-acidity balance.  Bottling takes place after the winter cold, with no treatment or stabilization. This is revealed by its possible opalescence in its clear bottle.

Gramona Gra A Gra – Pinot Noir 2010

The grapes that Bru de Gramona are made with have been grown since 1984 in Mas Escorpí, at 350 meters' altitude. In 2009, due to the high temperatures registered during the grape ripening process, high alcohol content was reached before the skin and pips had achieved sufficient phenolic ripeness.
That was when it occurred to our technical staff to over-ripen the grape on the vine, until reaching a passerillage of the grapes, and thus be able to make a sweet Pinot Noir wine.
At harvest, the grapes were in perfect health, and had reached 24% probable alcohol content. Two thirds of the grapes were harvested in 20 kg boxes, and placed in a cryochamber for 36 hours to bring their temperature down to 0 ºC.
The grapes were destemmed, then sorted individually on the selection table. Last, the wooden vat was filled. A prefermentation maceration was carried out over 10 days, with head plunging every 12 hours to bring out an intense color.
The grapes were immediately devatted as soon as they began to ferment. On the same day, the third of the vineyard left to over-ripen was harvested. This was added to the must that began fermentation at 16 ºC.  The fermentation lasted nearly 6 weeks until it was naturally stopped with 150 g/l of sugar, and 1% vol.  To round off the wine and add to its complexity, it was aged for seven months in French oak barrels.
 

Gramona, sets up in Yr.1881 in Spain with over 130 years history, produces the top quality and longest aged Cavas, with high recognition in the world.

Gramona Gra A Gra - Riesling & Chardonnay 2002

Tasting Note:

Sight: light yellow with tones of new gold.

Nose: Citric and exotic fruit rinds, peach notes. Refreshing. Aromas of vegetation, with honey and wax.  Floral bouquet, roses, orange blossom. Blend of white fruits, fine tones of honey and aromatic herbs. Unmistakable subtlety of the botrytis.

Taste: As a sweet wine, it stands out for its major fluidity with a surprisingly well-integrated sharpness. Silky and unctuous, its harmony gives it excellent drinkability. Very long finish. A great wine.

Gramona Gra A Gra – Pinot Noir 2010

Tasting Note:

Sight: Bright, inspired in wild cherries, with a radiant shine.

Nose: Be swept away in its unceasing vitality of changing complexity, evoking red berries, marmalades, jellies, Mediterranean wild flowers and medicinal herbs. It is at once dense and ethereal. Choose a big glass to allow maximum exposure to air.

Taste:: Dynamic, while maintaining its life center thanks to its neat tannic structure. Polished by its smoothness, enriched by a fresh current arising from its acidity.  Its sugar content is akin to gelatin; enveloping, caressing. In the glass, it takes shape smartly, expanding its aromatic field and sweet vitality.

Gramona Gra A Gra - Riesling & Chardonnay 2002

• 365 Wines a Year Guide, 2010 edition: 95 points
• Peñín Guide 2010, 2011 edition: 93 points
• Peñín Guide 2008 edition: 93 points. Best wines of Spain
• 2010 Wine Yearbook Pub.El Pais: 4 stars
• “Living Wine Guide” 2009 edition: 92 points

Gramona Gra A Gra – Pinot Noir 2010

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2011: Silver Medal