varietal: Tempranillo

Prado Rey Tempranillo Sr. Niño 2022

89
Prado Rey
Fanciful Name: Sr. Niño
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Ribera del Duero
Retail Price: $25.00

Tasting Notes: A dark purple tone, with high-intensity inviting aromatics that lead to juicy, fruit and plummy notes on this festive and fun wine. Organically farmed, with carbonic maceration that brings liveliness to its style.
Prado Rey Tempranillo Sr. Niño 2022

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Bodegas Montecillo Tempranillo Reserva

91
Bodegas Montecillo
Fanciful Name: Reserva
Varietal: Tempranillo
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $20.99

Tasting Notes: Established in 1870, these folks have been pioneers in bringing the best of Spain to America. Sourcing older vines helps yield concentrated flavor. Very regimented fermentation combines the best of old world and new world techniques (stainless and concrete tanks) The magic happens in the aging to achieve the Reserva status. Twenty-four months in mainly French oak is followed by 24 months of bottle aging. Beautiful ruby coloring in the glass leads to red fruit notes. Rich and elegant, with touches of expresso and vanilla on the finish. Incredible value for a wine of the pedigree.
Bodegas Montecillo Tempranillo Reserva

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Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Tempranillo Izarbe Reserva Selección 2014

89
Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri)
Fanciful Name: Izarbe Reserva Selección
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Spain
Retail Price: $28.00

Tasting Notes: All tempranillo from the highest elevation of the three subzone of Rioja- Rioja Alta. Aging in oak gives this wine its hallmark dill, coconut and sawdust aromas on a sleek and immediately accessible wine.
Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Tempranillo Izarbe Reserva Selección 2014

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Atalayas de Golban Tempranillo Torre de Golbán Crianza 2017

93
Atalayas de Golban
Fanciful Name: Torre de Golbán Crianza
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2017
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Ribera del Duero
Retail Price: $16.00

Tasting Notes: Aged in French oak, the light spice, tobacco and fresh, delicious black cherry fruit of this tempranillo clone is a major value for its price. Grill up some meat and vegetables and enjoy.
Atalayas de Golban Tempranillo Torre de Golbán Crianza 2017

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Bodegas Muriel Tempranillo Reserva 2018

96
Bodegas Muriel
Fanciful Name: Reserva
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2018
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: Tempranillo is developing a huge following around the world, but the easiest way is to go to the source in the famed Rioja region. Sourcing from the famed Alavesa region, this family-owned vineyard hand-harvests their fruit, and follows the strict guidelines for the Riserva designation (24 months in oak/12 months in bottle). Robust red coloring leads to notes of coffee, vanilla and rich red fruits. Over-delivers for the money!
Bodegas Muriel Tempranillo Reserva 2018

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McPherson Cellars Tempranillo La Herencia 2019

95
McPherson Cellars
Fanciful Name: La Herencia
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: One of the original proponents of the classic tempranillo grape, Kim McPherson adds complexity by blending small amounts of graciano (16%) and carignan (3%). Fermenting in stainless steel preserves the purity of the fruit while aging in French oak for 11 months. Very integrated fruit with hints of dark fruit, plum and white pepper. Beautifully pairs with Texas beef off the grill!
McPherson Cellars Tempranillo La Herencia 2019

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Newsom Vineyards Tempranillo Blend Inception 2019

98
Newsom Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Inception
Varietal: Tempranillo Blend
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Texas High Plains
Retail Price: $49.99

Tasting Notes: Nolan Newsom . . . no, not that Newsom fella in California. This is the 8th-generation Texan, 3rd-generation grower who took the seed of growing grapes, not cotton, in the High Plains (3700 ft. elevation) from the first two acres of cab ever grown in 1986 to the 160 acres today, with over 19 varietals. This is their flagship and the only blend in his portfolio, Nolan’s version of the classic Bordeaux style. This vintage highlights syrah (48%) and sangiovese/tannat (40%) with small amounts of seven other varietals for complexity. Rich and full bodied, it starts out lush and finishes bone-dry. 30 months of oak aging helps smooth things out with a fruit-forward style. An end cut of prime rib, double baked potato, and a bottle of Inception — perfection!
Newsom Vineyards Tempranillo Blend Inception 2019

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Latitud 42 Rioja Crianza 2018

92
Latitud 42
Fanciful Name: Rioja Crianza
Varietal: Tempranillo Blend
Vintage: 2018
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $16.99

Tasting Notes: Oak age rounds out this black cherry-heavy wine and gives hints of spice on the finish. The fruit character drives the wine, and slight savory tones make it enjoyable and approachable.
Latitud 42 Rioja Crianza 2018

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Vina Alberdi Reserva 2016

95
La Rioja Alta
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $20.00

Tasting Notes: Another smashing red from the 2016 vintage. A mix of vanilla, cocoa and tobacco, with lush tannins and oak that does not overwhelm the palate. Throw in a touch of earth and spice and you have the perfect wine for roast lamb.
Vina Alberdi Reserva 2016

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Rolland Galarreta 2018

93
Rolland & Galarreta
Fanciful Name: R & G Tempranillo
Varietal: Tempranillo Blend
Vintage: 2018
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Ribera del Duero
Retail Price: $20.00

Tasting Notes: A majority of the wine is produced from tempranillo, with merlot added to the blend. An excellent wine, the result of a collaboration between the Spanish owner and the well-regarded French winemaker, Michel Rolland. Quite dark in the glass, the nose and palate both possess dark fruit, with hints of spice and floral notes. Plenty of power and length on the finish.
Rolland Galarreta 2018

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Larchago, “Izarbe” Rioja Reserva, 2011

92
Bodeas Larchago
Fanciful Name: Izarbe Reserva
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $25.99

Tasting Notes: Very aromatic and easy to love. Aromas of dill, coconut and malibu invite. Seamless and lengthy, with flavors of leather, tobacco and dark fruits.
Larchago, “Izarbe” Rioja Reserva, 2011

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Lopez de Heredia Rioja Viña Tondonia Reserva 2007

97
Lopez de Heredia
Fanciful Name: Viva Tondonia
Varietal: Tempranillo Blend
Vintage: 2007
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $50.00

Tasting Notes: One of the most iconic wineries in Rioja, Lopez de Heredia makes wines that age for many decades. Leather and spice on the nose, with gamy, elegant red fruit on the palate, and a tangy zip of acidity. The wine is lovely now and may very well outlive you.
Lopez de Heredia Rioja Viña Tondonia Reserva 2007

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