Tag Archives: tempranillo

Prima 2009

05 Wednesday Sep 2012

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I’m excited…. Tempranillo always has the opportunity to rock my world, this one did. Vegetal, herbal and a certain stink of donkey all come through from the nose to the palate. Mixed with a fruity compote of cherries and flower (violets?),a smooth mouthfeel give loads of entertainment. A long finish and good balance offset the lack of long term tannic backbone, but at this price- who cares???
I am truly impressed and think this one is 4 star worthy. With more backbone, it would have been a 5- 89 points.

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Freixenet Mederano Tinto 2010

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

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Look at the label carefully people.

We’ve all had Freixenet sparkling wine, the Brut in the black bottle.  Did you know they also make a red wine?  Neither did I.  Look closer at the picture, it’s a Spanish wine with a German label that I bought in Asia.  Made from Tempranillo grapes and very reasonably priced, this is what we call “cheap-and-nasty”.  If you are looking for a very basic red wine that you can swill at a party, this one may fit the bill.  However, I have a rule- life is too short to drink shitty wine.  So, think about what you want to accomplish if you buy this wine.  It tastes like wine, smells like wine, looks like wine and will get you drunk like wine.  It offers nothing in the complexity department, no tannins to see it through the rest of the month, and no finish whatsoever.  Having thrashed it, I will now sing its praises.  It’s not out of balance, sour, weird or bad tasting.  I will however give it 3 stars, simply because it gets the job done on such a low budget price.  Besides, when your having a massive party and everyone is hammered, who cares?  80 Points….

Beronia Reserva ’04

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

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While sitting here writing about last night’s fantastic Rhone wine, I couldn’t wait to finish so I could move on to this Spanish Reserva. It absolutely blew me away from the word “Go”. Call me old-fashioned, but the New World wines just can’t compete with France, Spain and Italy for elegance, typicity, style and balance in general. Don’t get me wrong, I have drunk some real beauties from Cali, Australia, Chile, Argentina and South Africa- but when you get hold of a wine like the Beronia Reserva, you realize that these folks have been at it for a while and know grapes. The balance, smoothness, complexity and ageability of this wine reflect the care given to the grapes and the winemaker’s skill. My first impression on the nose was that this wine screams Tempranillo, the first taste confirmed it. Deft use of oak has aged this wine in barrel to give it smoothness and unobtrusive tannins. The length is decent, and the wine is starting to take on secondary flavors. With its backbone, it should last until 2020 at least, delivering great pleasure at a great price. QPR-wise this is a home run and should be sought out immediately. 5 stars, at least and if I were a pro: 92 points minimum. Enjoy!

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Penafiel Gran Resalte ’00

31 Saturday Dec 2011

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The big brother to my other two Penafiel’s, this one is a real beauty. The Gran Reserva from 2000 has aged beautifully and shows great Tempranillo character with some extra flavors kicking in. Smooth tannins are holding it together like a solid backbone, yet unobtrusive. Purple in color, it shows no signs of age, still fresh and vibrant. My guess is that the remaining bottles will last until 2016 at the least- 5 stars and potentially a 93 pointer if reviewed by the paid people. Sucha deal baby!

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Miros De Ribera ’01, part Dos

15 Thursday Dec 2011

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If you read my previous post you will remember that I am a huge fan.  Well, tonight reinforced my conviction on this wine.  This bottle was absolutely amazing.  Smooth like you wouldn’t believe, fruit, soft tannins and still lively.  The acid is a non-factor, the nose is is round, the taste- sublime.  I might think that there is some bottle variation, but WOWWSA.  On the nose, there is that extra little secondary flavor, the mouthfeel is gorgeous and the aftertaste goes on for a full minute.  To tell you how much I am loving this wine….  Patience in the cellar has truly been rewarded.   Still a 5 pointer and at least 92 points for this particular bottle.  I am speechless…….  Good night.

Bodegas Penafiel, Miros de Ribera ’01

22 Tuesday Nov 2011

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Yet another good reason to cellar a wine. This 2001 Reserva is hitting the high notes. Always a Tempranillo fan, this one has the rich fruit, length and tannins that take me for a great ride. Not very complex, it is medium weight and still showing primary fruit, even at 10 years of age. Hopefully it will take on a second life and add some interesting depth and secondary flavors. Whatever direction it takes, it sure is smooth- worthy of seeking out. 5 stars and perhaps a 90 point rating?
Besides, what an awesome label!

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fuZion ’10

09 Wednesday Nov 2011

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Got to try this one after the Trivento and de Clotte.  Very basic Tempranilo/Malbec blend from Argentina.  The Argies do Malbec, in various forms and price points.  This one was very, very reasonable and the quality was commensurate.  Nothing special, very appealing and extremely fruity.  No tannins to hold it together, it is made to drink in the next two weeks!  All kidding aside, this is a good effort at the intention, an easy quaffer that can be carted to a BBQ, party or casual get-together.  A respectable 3 stars with a potential of 84 on a rating scale.  (I’m not rushing out to get more, but will fall back on it if necessary.)

Coronas ’07

16 Sunday Oct 2011

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Spanish wine is alluring, tasty and good for you (at least they tell me it’s good for you).  The Spaniards do Tempranillo, and they do it well.  Considered the noble grape of the region and the main varietal in Rioja, it is full bodied, big boy stuff that can be made to last for a long, long time.  Many wine types are just bleh, but Tempranillo grabs me for its interesting and unique taste.  In Portugal it is called Tinto Roriz and is blended to make Port (ever heard of it?).

Not a reserve wine, it retails for about $10, and is worth every penny.  Fruity, enjoyable and rather fresh, it would serve well on a week day with basic meat and potato dinners.  You could try cellaring a bottle or two and watch it mature.  On my everyday scale- a 4 star effort worthy of 85 professional points (If I were a pro, which I’m not)