Tempranillo

This is a blend of 49% Tempranillo, 22% Grenache, 22% Graciano, and 7% Carignan from Paso Robles.  Deep garnet in color with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries and black raspberries along with spice and coffee beans.  Full bodied.  Nice texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, there is juicy fruit; black cherries and cherries along with spices.  Some depth.  Young.  Nice finish.  This could use another five years of cellaring and then drink over the next eight to twelve.  Nice on its own, this will also work well with some not too spicy tacos.  

Wow, this is a tannic beast. At age 19/20 this is young and difficult if excellent.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, cigar box, and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Very firm tannins.  On the palate it is complex and layered.  Layers of cherries, dill and vanilla.  Long black cherry finish.  Great balance.  It seems like it could easily go another twenty years.  Will the fruit  outlast the tannins though?  In any event, very enjoyable on its own and will work better with food.  A Mushroom Risotto would be great.  

Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose  has cherries, dust, and slight cigar.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, black cherries with anise.  Some depth.  Long finish.  Overall, a nice wine that will go well with stews or Chili. Drink over the next five years.  

C.L. Butaud started making wine in 2014 in Texas, another wine to join the impressive ranks of Texas wines being produced in the fourth largest wine producing state in the U.S. A truly Texas Tempranillo, this offers black cherry notes, tobacco leaf, plum and pomegranate, dried tomato leaf, a slight rhubarb quality and a light earthiness. The tannins and smooth but noticeable and the light acidity helps create a wine that, on the first sip, makes you want food with it. The oak influence is just a wee bit heavy, however the fruit still shines and the balance created in impressive. 250 cases.

This is drinking well and seems to be at or possibly just pack peak.  It is a pretty modern take on Tempranillo but with some bottle age it shows traditionally.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cedar and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries with spice and slight smoke.  Nice finish.  This is ageing gracefully and doesn't seem almost twenty years old.  That said, these should be drunk up at this point.  Nice on its own but better with food.  It would work well

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