2017 Gundlach Bundschu Tempranillo Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

There are not a lot of Tempranillo's grown outside Spain and few in California, so it's always a pleasure to get to try one.  I suspect they have a small plot for this to experiment with and bottle it as a winery only release (just a guess).  It is 90% Tempranillo, 6% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and baking spices with a bit of tea leaves and slight smoke.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Bold cherry fruit with light tannins and underlying roasted herbs.  There is little acidity or depth making me wonder how this might age

2016 Bodegas y Viñedos Alnardo Ribera del Duero Psi, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is a Tempranillo wine.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries,black cherries and baking spice.  Also some dustiness.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  It is warm and dusty with black cherry fruit.  Some complexity.  Nice finish.  This will still get better but it is drinking well right now.  Another few years and it should be close to peak.  It will go well with roasts and grilled meats.  

2017 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Ribera del Duero Bela, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This was quite popular at our Intowine.com tasting.  It is a young wine from Spain made from Tempranillo.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, sea air and just a bit of woodiness.  On the palate, this has a nice balance.  Light with silky tannins.  The wine flutters on the palate.  Soft with black cherries and just a bit of anise. It is very tasty with some depth and complexity.  It won't get better than this and should be consumed in the next few years.  

2013 El Mulo, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

This is a Spanish wine made from Tinto Fino which is the local name from Tempranillo.  It was good to try another bottle as the first was badly corked.  This was very nice if a bit young.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dust and cedar.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Bold cherry flavor with underlying char.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  It should continue to evolve for the next five years or so and be good for at least a decade after that.  It will go well with foods on the grill.  

2017 Sterling Vineyards 375ml Aluminum Bottle Rosé, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

This is one of three wines available in an aluminum bottle.  375ml.  It is also screw capped.  This is a very portable way to carry wine to picnics and other events.  It would be great by the pool or at the beach as well with no worries about broken glass or having an opener.  This is mostly Syrah and Tempranillo from the Edna Valley in California with some Zinfandel.  Salmon pink/orange in color.  The nose has very pretty strawberries.  Clean.  On the palate, the strawberries come thru along with some cherries and a bit of citrus.  There is also a pleasant tea like bitterness.  This is ver

2012 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$107.00USD

Usually, I like to let Saxum's age more, but this one is 45% Zinfandel, so we popped the cork.  Good move.  Also it has 36% Mourvedre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Petite Sirah.  Weighs in at just under 16% ABV.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is big with black cherries, plums, black raspberries, some earthiness and spice.  On the palate, there is no heat.  Juicy black cherries, and black raspberries.  Some underlying char.  Long finish.  This is delicious but will be a tough food match.  Maybe some BBQ with spicy sauce?  It will be interesting to see how this ages.  I suspect the Zin fades and

2017 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero Finca Resalso, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Moro is one of the top producers in Ribera del Duero.  This is their entry level red and is made from Tinto de Toro (a clone of Tempranillo).  It spends four months in oak before being bottled.  Purple/ruby in color.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust and slight dill notes.  On the palate, this is very ripe fruit.  Very light tannins.  Mostly cherries, some sour cherries with some black licorice notes and spice especially on the finish.  This is made for immediate drinking and it is fine for that.  It will works with stews and foods without strong flavors.  

2012 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is pretty with cherries, black cherries, slight dust, and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Flavors of black cherries with some dill.  Light tannins.  Medium finish.  Very food friendly, this should go with a wide variety but stews and casseroles should do very well.  It is probably close to peak but should be at this level for a decade.  Available for around $15, this is a great value in traditional Rioja.  

2015 Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Crianza, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

Brought back from Spain by a neighbor after meeting with the owners.  This is drinking well now and traditional.  Ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight dried dill.  On the palate, this seems to be just slightly past prime but still drinking well.  Dried and fresh cherries with no tannins.  Easy drinking.  Food friendly.  A very good value although drinking in the first couple of years from vintage is a good idea.  

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