2018 The Third Twin, Graciano, California, Bottle (750ml)

RP99 “Like Grenache, Graciano ripens late and has to be ripe to produce anything great,” Manfred Krankl mentioned as I tasted the fifth tiny-volume release of this Graciano-dominant blend, coming entirely from the estate-owned The Third Twin vineyard in Los Alamos. The Third Twin is a medium-warm site, purchased by Elaine and Manfred in 2010. The soil is almost pure sand, and it is mainly planted to Syrah, Petite Sirah and Mourvedre, with smaller plantings of Graciano. The 2018 Graciano is a blend of 90% Graciano, 5% Petit Sirah, 3% Syrah and 2% Viognier, employing 35% whole clusters. It was aged for 27 months in French oak, 33% new. Opaque purple-black in color, it opens with a provocative red berry lift—redcurrants, Morello cherries and pomegranate—over a core of mulberries, wild blueberries, lavender, fennel seed and clove oil, plus a waft of tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, featuring very firm, beautifully ripe tannins and a racy backbone to support the ultra-concentrated red, black and blue fruit layers, finishing with great length and tons of savory sparks. Stunning." LPB for TWA Aug 2021

AG99 " A tiny production of 74 cases, the 2018 Graciano is an absolutely stunning wine. Inky and deep, with huge tannins, the 2018 is packed with inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice and spice. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is a real powerhouse. The 2018 was done with 35% stems and aged in French oak, 33% new. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical, thrilling wine." AG for VM Oct 2021

JD98 "The 2018 Graciano (there’s 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Syrah, and 2% Viognier) is another masterpiece. Full-bodied aromas and flavors of blueberries, wild strawberries, ground pepper, leather, violets, and even some gamey nuances define this incredible wine, and it has building tannins, a ripe, layered texture, and remarkable purity. It should have 15+ years of prime drinking. This cuvée comes 100% from the Third Twin Vineyard, was 65% destemmed, and spent 27 months in one-third new barrels." JD Aug 2021

Lisa Perrotti-Brown writes for The Wine Independent, "All of Manfred and Elaine Krankl’s wines are unique, but this one is particularly rare. It is made from a little-known Spanish variety, Graciano, which has also found its way to parts of Australia and California. Produced in minuscule quantities since 2014, The Third Twin’s Graciano has quickly become the world’s greatest example of this grape. “Graciano ripens like Grenache,” Manfred said. “It ripens late, and unless it fully ripens, it is not interesting. It needs a lot of hang time.” The Third Twin is a medium-warm site. The soil is almost pure sand, especially the sections of newer plantings. “The ripening process is a little more condensed than the other vineyards.”" Published: Aug 24, 2022