Tempranillo

Bought on release and well stored.  On release, this was a very modern take on Tempranillo.  At age 22, it still drinks that way although it has calmed down and matured quite a bit since then.  Still drinking youthfully.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries with an earthy notes.  With air, more barnyard emerges (Brettanomyces) although not strong.  Full bodied.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, raspberries with black cherries and some kirsch.  A bit of char as well.  Long, slightly drying finish.  Complex and deep, this won't get better but shou

This is a lighter, but traditional, Rioja.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit earthy with fresh cherries and a whiff of tobacco.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, flavors of cherries with a bit of char.  Anise on the finish.  This drinks easily and should for the next five to seven years.  Nice on its own, this would be a great mid week meatloaf or pizza wine.  

This is a Rosé from Spain that is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha.  It is Salmon pink/copper in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with a slight orange/citrus note along with cherries, strawberries and a very slight vanilla note.  (As an aside, both this and the Blanco had a vanilla note, but it does not appear the wines so oak, so where does it come from?).  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  On the palate, lots of fresh cherries, some cranberries and slight red currants.  A bitter almond note on the finish.  This is refreshing and a lovely wine to serv

This was the second time tasting this wine this month.  Lucky me!  It is classic old style Rioja impeccably produced.   Truly a great value in traditional Rioja.  The wine is fermented in 144 year old oak vats before being stored for five years in used American oak barrels and five more in bottles.  It is a blend of Tempranillo (80%), Garnacho (15%), Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano (5%) from estate vineyards. Ruby in color with some purple swirls and maybe just a hint of orange.  The nose is great with cherries, spice, cedar, dust and slight herbal note.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.

Another classic Rioja albeit a slightly more modern style.  This is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha.  Ruby in color with a purple core, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, cedar, black cherries, forest floor, dust and chocolate.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black cherries, tobacco and spice with some underlying char.  Some chocolate comes out on the long finish.  This is still young but already great.  A couple more years in the cellar will be rewarded but this is fantastic drinking now.  Drink over th

This comes from the producer of Pingus, one of Spain's most revered wines.  Of course, it doesn't have the price tag of that one, but this is still an outstanding wine.  90% Tempranillo.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, spice and  minerality.  Lush texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, blueberries and slight cherries with underlying minerality.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is a more modern take on Tempranillo.  This drinks great on its own but will need bigger foods for now.  This would be nice

My first time trying this wine and it was quite enjoyable.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice and slight chocolate notes.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this drinks easy but there is also some depth.  Cherries, with a slight char and the chocolate note comes thru as well.  Nice finish.  This drinks nicely on its own but should be very food friendly at the table.  A nice match would be grilled sausages.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  A very nice value.

This is about as classic as old style Rioja gets.  As the Gran Reserva's get more expensive, this is truly a great value in traditional Rioja.  The wineis fermented in 144 year old oak vats before being stored for five years in used American oak barrels.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls and maybe just a hint of orange.  The nose is great with cherries, spice, cedar, dust and slight herbal note.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries with slight black cherries and spice.  Complex and deep.  Tight layers that unwind in the glass.  This is drinking well now but should hav

We tasted this about 5 years ago and it has really filled out since then.  This is a blend of 55% Tempranillo, 20% Granacha, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano and 5% Monastrell from Rioja, Spain.  It is a more modern take than a traditional Rioja but still made using American Oak.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight chocolate, toast and spice.  Full bodied.  Plenty of depth.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now on its own and would work well with meats or fowl or roasted

This is 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo).  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, dusty attic notes and some cherries.  Medium bodied with good acidity.  On the palate, tart black cherries and some cherries with underlying char.  Seems to be about at peak right now but should drink well for another three to five years.  This is nice on its own and will work well with meats and fowl.  A nice wine for a sausage pizza.