Tempranillo

Excellent wine.  Drinking well now but probably not yet at peak.  Purple in color with some darker brown swirls.  The nose is clean with cherries and black cherries.  Slight spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied; thinner than other Tempranillos on the table but not in a bad way at all.  It has a cherry cough drop quality to it.  There is also just a hint of green bell pepper in a cab franc sort of way that was quite good.  Medium tannins.  This seemed like it "suffered" from being in a tasting and would perform much better if on its own at the dinner table.  That said, it was delicio

Inky purple in color.  The nose has clay, black cherries and is young and vibrant.  On the palate, there is a black olive quality that made me think Syrah (though I don't know if there is any blended in).  Also black cherries with some spice.  Medium tannins.  This is a big wine.  It is fresh, lively and delicious.  In a tasting of Spanish Tempranillo's this was thrown in blind and was my favorite.  Great on its own but will work with bigger foods.  Easily has a decade left and probably more.  

This is in one heavy bottle.  it is drinking beautifully right now but no hurry at all.  Inky purple in color and opaque but bright.  The nose has some pepper with black raspberries.  Perhaps a slight hazelnut note.  On the palate, this is showing some age and development in terms of complexity but it is lively and vibrant.  Firm tannins and plenty of black raspberry fruit.  Some black cherries on the finish.  This drinks great alone and will work with heavier foods.  It was $130 on release.  

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