From very small yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare, this wine flirted with perfection on each occasion I tasted it. It is a sensational effort – if you can find it. The wine is dense purple and stunningly rich, with lots of crushed rock and chalky notes from the limestone soils as well as blueberry and black berry liqueur intermixed with some smoky barbecue and an aroma that reminded me of tea-smoked duck. Thick, rich and full, its glycerine and concentration hide some rather lofty tannins This is another prodigious effort from proprietor Michel Gracia – it’s just a shame he doesn’t make more wine. This miniature jewel of a property (all approximately five acres of it) has produced a world-class wine that is one of the superstars of the 2010 vintage although the impossibility of acquiring any of it is frustrating. Michel Rolland’s top consultant, Jean-Philippe Fort, who provides consulting advice at this estate, has produced a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 14.5% natural alcohol. - RP

The 2010 Château Gracia is absolutely brilliant, and along with the 2009, it might be the finest vintage I’ve tasted from this address. Still youthfully ruby-hued, it has a smorgasbord-like array of red and black currants, mulled cherries, truffly earth, leather, and smoky tobacco. This carries to a rich, full-bodied, unctuous Saint-Emilion that’s flawlessly balanced, has a deep, layered, seamless mouthfeel, nicely integrated, resolved tannins, and extraordinary length. A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, savvy readers should jump on this tiny production release. It’s brilliant today (I followed this bottle for multiple days), yet it has another two decades of prime drinking ahead of it. Drink 2025-2045.

100% merlot. A true garagiste wine made from a tiny 1.83 hectare vineyard of 38 year old vines planted to clay and limestone soils. Cover-cropping mechanical tilling and lutte raisonnée; 24 hls/ha before and 22 hls/ha after selection and saignée; hand-harvested and hand-destemmed; fermented in stainless steel and Taransaud oak tanks. 14.5% alcohol. The nose is ripe and supple with plum spice mocha and vanilla layered with hints of oak. There is a touch of unfinished malolactic fermentation but that should resolve quickly. The palate is silky and full bodied and has a wonderfully creamy texture and leads to a finish that lasts easily 45+ seconds. This should drink well upon release but could use 3-4 years of bottle age and should last 20-25+. Kudos! Jean-Philippe Fort consults.

Gracia 80 % Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc came in at 15% alcohol. Oak, spicy berry, licorice and chocolate covered blackberry nose. Round texture, full bodied and concentrated with a long dark cherry, fennel and jammy blackberry finish. 91-93 Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2010+Gracia

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Gracia has always been one of the best of the garagistes and the 2010 deserves consideration. It has a very high-toned bouquet with black cherries liquorice and a touch of star anis. It is open knit and generous but perhaps missing a little focus. The palate is medium-bodied with good structure and grip. Real cohesion and firmness in the mouth, nicely balanced with an intense yet controlled finish. Excellent.

A modern, toasty style, but sleek, with the vanilla bean and espresso notes melding nicely into the core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit. The long finish lets the espresso note weave on, with flashes of tobacco, cocoa and licorice snap as well. Best from 2014 through 2024. –JM