An interesting shade of garnet with copper highlights, and medium viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of prune, baked blackberry, leather, tobacco, dried herb, thick black coffee, orange peel, and black currant syrup.  The palate is dry, with medium (-) acidity, a medium (-) body, and low tannins that have fully melded.  The initial taste is somewhat tart and bitter, not delicious at all.  I work my way through the different stages and it shows aged fruit that is still holding on, barely, along with tertiary development.  It ends on a slightly bitter note that is short in length.  The more it sits and opens up, the better it gets.  The bitterness has started to subside and the tartness is somewhat expected from an Old World wine, especially one from the late ’90’s when grapes were not as ripe (hence the 12.5 % alcohol).  It’s starting to perform as I had hoped, keeping in mind that the cork was compromised and failed when using the Ah-so to gently open the bottle.  I paid $42 for this Tempranillo, which would warrant an 88 point rating as it has no life left.  If you come across one, check the capsule for leakage and if possible, the cork for any trace of failure.  3 stars.  Salut….

Deep garnet with slight copper edges, and a medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of baked cherry, fig, prune, dusty earth, vanilla, iodine, baked blueberry pie, leather, and dried herbs.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that are still grippy but integrating nicely.  The flavors are very persistent and echo the nose.  This is a classic Tempranillo, aged in  French oak is my guess.  The finish is long and silky.  It’s still vibrant with years of cellaring capacity.  I opened it for my daughter’s 21st birth month and I’m glad I held on to it for so long.  It gets 94 points from me and can found online for about $130, making it a 5 star wine for a special occasion.  Salut….

Deep ruby colored, almost inky- with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, bramble, dusty earth, elderberry, coconut, charred oak and pine needles.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are slightly chalky.  Flavors of ripe black berries with that telltale dust combine with American oak nuance of coconut and dill.  The oaky charred note is there but diminished.  The finish is medium (+) in length but turns a bit hot at the end.  I like this Crianza level wine- it’s charming, structured and tasty.  92 points.  I am pairing this Tempranillo with some half-smoke sausages and fried potatoes.  For under $20, this one gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

Deep ruby colored with light staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of charred oak, black cherry, blackberry, coconut and dill plus a generous wafting of alcohol that is noticeable.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that dissipate rapidly.  Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, coconut, dill, mint, coffee and some char lead to a medium (-) length finish.  This is a young wine but is drinking nicely now and will develop over time.  It gets 89 points from me as I feel the alcohol throws it out of balance.  This Tempranillo runs $23 and gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

Deep ruby with some copper and orange highlights and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, vanilla, baking spice, coconut shavings, mint, tobacco, loam and leather.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a still quite grippy after 7 years.  Ripe black fruit with healthy yet well done oak treatment which gives me vanilla, coconut, baking spice and coffee.  Dried herbs with loam, mint, leather and tobacco round out the flavor profile.  The finish is long yet a touch astringent and tangy from the acidity.  It’s still youthful in structure even thought the aromas and flavors are developing nicely- it’s a bit disjointed.  I would love to revisit in a year or two, I think it has lots of potential and will score it accordingly at 91 points.  For under $20 it’s worth stocking the cellar with this Spanish Tempranillo that gets 5 stars.  Drink from 2025 till 2030.  Salut….

Deep ruby with purple accents and high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has aromas of  charred oak, vanilla, toast, blackberry reduction, cassis, bramble and a dusty earth component with some baking spices thrown in for good measure.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are plush and fine-grained.  I can confirm the oak and dark fruit flavors echo the nose but there is also a licorice tinge.  The wine is full bodied and the high alcohol is very well hidden, buyer beware.  The finish is a dry affair with charred oak notes and some ripe blackberry coulis that is medium in length.  I love this style of Tempranillo, list price is rather steep though- $100.  I gave it 91 points and 3 stars for the QPR.  Drink till 2030 with grilled Filet and a bleu cheese sauce.  Salut….

It’s been nine years since I last tasted the 2001 Valduero, which I opened by accident.  Today’s bottle is intentional- Mothers Day Sunday roast.  It is deep garnet colored with definite signs of aging.  The nose smells divine- leather, earth, blackberry jam, cassis, mint, coffee bean, vanilla, baked blueberry and a medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and melded tannins which caress my gums.  This 100% Tempranillo is full bodied and I get flavors of stewed/cooked black and blue fruits, earth, leather, oak influence (coffee, vanilla and the medicinal note) and a tart black cherry note on the long finish.  The tannins start to grip on the back end and cover my teeth and gums with a ‘hairy’ feeling.  This 21 year old wine is still showing youth in structure and some fruit, amazing.  It will go beautifully with our dinner and could potentially cellar some more with a drinking window out to 2027.  I paid $60 back in the day for this 95 point wine which I would award 5 stars to.  Salut….