Tempranillo

Purple with slight dark brown swirls.  On the nose this is dusty with persistent barnyard.  Some cherries.  It tastes older and past prime on the palate but still worth drinking.  Some barnyard too but cherry fruit and dried cherries.  A bit drying on the finish.  Not sure if this is a representative bottle but this is a current release.  Better with food; meats and stews would work well.  

It had been a long time since I tried this ubiquitous Rioja wine.  It is still very good and an excellent value at around $15.  Purple/garnet in color.  The nose is nice with spice, cherries and slight black cherries.  With air some vanilla comes out.  On the palate, this is soft and accessible.  Light tannins.  Cherries and slight dill.  Good finish.  This will work with almost any food.  

This is the second bottle from a Case bought on release to celebrate special moments with my son (his birth year).  (The first was opened for his high school graduation.)  Decanted for sediment and served.  Deep garnet in color.  The nose has some stink to it.  Personally, I thought it was great but there is a warm barnyard quality to it along with some cherry lozenges and a bit of char.  On the palate, this drinks very clean.  Light tannins that build with air.  Complex layers of forest floor, cherries, slight dried cherries and char.  Wonderful texture.  Long finish.  Went great with some

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cranberries and tobacco.  On the palate, this is interesting.  More red currants than cranberries (or cherries).  Tart fruit.  slight tannins.  OK finish.  Drinking well now, it won't get better and is better consumed in the next few years.  Food friendly.  

A perennial great value and this one was no exception.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit sweaty with nice cherry fruit.  Also a slight minty note.  On the palate, this has deep cherry fruit.  A sort of root beer quality creeps in which is interesting.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Still youthful, this should have five to ten more years and will develop tertiary notes.  Will work with bigger foods right now.  

Kirkland is the Costco store brand name.  For many, they are dismissive over the wine, but my experiences with Kirkland wines has been positive.  Not amazing wines, but very good wines for very reasonable pricing.  This one is a Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero.  It was my WOTN in a tasting of value wines.  Ruby in color though a bit flat.  The nose has dusty red cherries with a bit of baking spice.  On the palate, this has a soft texture, but the tannins are firm and build with air.  Really nice cherry fruit.  It is a bit warm on the finish.  Very food friendly for most foods.  And all fo

A very nice bottle of Rioja that also happens to be Kosher.  This vintage is still available for around $25, but younger vintages can be found for under $15.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight dill.  Still has some firm tannins, but the overall texture is soft.  Lots of cherries and some sour cherries on the palate with some underlying dry earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  For those looking for Kosher wines, this is a nice alternative and will go great with seafood but also chicken.  This bottle is 5 years from vintage and drinking great, b

Normally, its better to let Saxum's wait ten years from vintage to really get the best but the Paderewski is a different animal.  It is 34% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah and 8% Tempranillo.  Because of that it changes as it ages with the Zin showing more in its youth and fading a bit back with time.  This bottle was beautiful.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep and intoxicating with black cherries, roasted meats, leather, black raspberries, black pepper and cherries.  On the palate, this has a lush chewy texture.  Delicious.  Lots of fruit right now with black cherr

Seems like a pretty modern take on Rioja.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight dust, and a bit of black cherries.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cherries, black cherries with medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Easy drinking but also a bit of depth.  This will please with or without food.  This retails for around $20 which is a great value.  

Ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, this has cherries turning to bitter cherry on the finish.  No tannins.  Easy to drink.  Nothing complex here, but for 12 bucks, this is a food friendly wine that will work for a variety of foods that are not too light or heavy.  Great for parties or cookouts.  Drink over the next couple of years.