Why we're drinking tempranillo today

Romántica Crianza 2020

Tasting: Deliciousness in a bottle from Bardos. Winemaker Raúl Acha makes wine in this inhospitable part of the Duero Valley because as he states “To make daring wines, one must be surrounded by daring people”. Medium bodied, rich dark fruit, black plum, cassis, and cedar with tobacco and fresh leather.

Bodega: Bardos

Region: Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Aging: 14 months in French oak

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Vendimia Seleccionada 2019

Tasting: Rioja of great typicity, and outstanding value. Silky and plush texture reveals beautifully expressive blueberry fruit, supple hedgerow berries and well balanced vanillan oak.

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Zuazo Gastón

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Mazuelo

Aging: 6 months in American oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Cork

Solaz Bio Tempranillo 2022

Tasting: Intense red berry fruit with fruits of the forest notes in support. Certified organic.

Bodega: Bodegas Osborne

Region: V.T. Castilla y Leon

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Cork

Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2019

Tasting: Medium bodied, a nose of vanilla, red and black fruits leading to a palate of beautifully balanced oak, acidity and fruit, blackberries, cassis, coconut, graphite and bay leaf

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 14 months in American oak followed by 12 months in bottle

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Screw cap

Damalisco Tempranillo Roble 2021 

Tasting: Exceptional Tempranillo blend! You get the structure of the Tempranillo, followed by the brightness of the Garnacha. Medium bodied and creamy. Red and black fruit. Smooth long finish. 

Bodega: Rodriguez Sanzo

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Garnacha

Aging: New French oak

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Ramon Bilbao Limitada Crianza 2020

Tasting: From a classic producer of fine, elegant Rioja, the Edición Limitada is an alternative expression of fruit used to make their flagship ‘Mirto’ wine. The palate is long and intense with beautifully balanced acidity and polished tannins. It has pronounced black fruit, plums, blackberries, piquant spices and notes of dark cacao nibs.  

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 15 months in new French oak, then a further 12 months in bottle.

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Ramírez de la Piscina Crianza 2019

Tasting:  Medium bodied, this is an attractive wine that has been barrel-aged, and combines both youthful and mature characteristics. Cherry-red in colour with violet notes. On the nose there is a good balance between ripe fruit and quality wood. This balance is also present on the palate where wood, alcohol and tannin combine with spicy vanilla resulting from a touch of delicate oak. A long finish with a pronounced concentration.

Bodega: Ramírez de la Piscina

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 16 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Ibai Alde Crianza 2019

Tasting: Classic crianza Rioja, bright and brash red fruit led by strawberries and red-currants, concentrated red plum and cedar spice.

Bodega: Bodegas Ramírez de la Piscina

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 15 months in French and American Oak, followed by 8 months in bottle

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Hacienda López de Haro Gran Reserva 2014

Tasting: Elegant, complex and refined, lashings of dried mature blackcurrant and bramble fruit with delicate spices, cassia bark, star anise and angelica. Although a very classic oak driven Gran Reserva, it is well balanced, with exceptionally plush texture and balance.  

Bodega: Bodega Classica

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano

Aging: 30 months in French and American oak, followed by 36 months in bottle

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva 2014

Tasting: Everything you’d expect from classic Gran Reserva Rioja, aromatic and complex with a palate of blackberries, redcurrant, cherries, nutmeg and vanilla.

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

Aging: 30 months in American oak, followed by 36 months in bottle

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14% 

Closure: Cork

El Primer Beso Tinto Fino 2022

Tasting: The outstanding wines of Alejandro Moyano are as poetic to drink as the labels and their names would suggest. An award-winning winery, self-sufficient and completely off the electricity and water supplies vinifies the organically grown Tinto Fino – the local name for Tempranillo – with the minimum of handling. El Primer Beso – The First Kiss – is certified organic, medium bodied with oodles of soft, ripe, morello cherry fruit, raspberry, and lovely underlying graphite minerality.

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Valdemonjas

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Aging: 6 months in cement tanks

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Matsu El Recio 2021

Tasting: Tinta de Toro, although Tempranillo, is generally considered a DNA variant of Tempranillo, it has smaller berries and ticker skins so makes much bigger wines than Tempranillo in the Duero valley generally does. This is a beast of a wine! Dark, very full bodied, rich, and concentrated with amazing complexity. Powerful flavours of dark earthy black fruit, new leather and fresh tobacco with baking spices in support.

Bodega: Bodegas Matsu

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 18 months in French oak

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Buen Rollo 2020

Tasting: Tinta de Toro, although Tempranillo, is generally considered a DNA variant of Tempranillo, it has smaller berries and thicker skins so makes much bigger wines than Tempranillo in the Duero valley generally does. Dense and full bodied, rich and concentrated black plum, mulberries, tobacco and fresh leather. Brooding dark and intense, but with surprisingly polished tannins.  

Bodega: Dominio del Bendito

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 4 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 16%

Closure: Cork

La Viña de Amaya 2020

Tasting: On the nose, it offers an enticing bouquet of ripe red berries, including cherries and raspberries, intertwined with subtle hints of vanilla and oak. The palate is velvety and smooth, showcasing flavors of plum and blackcurrant, complemented by a well-balanced acidity and supple tannins.

Bodega: Rodriguez Sanzo

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), Garnacha

Aging: 6 to 12 months in oak barrels

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Canicas Tempranillo 2020

Tasting: Ripe red fruits like cherry and raspberry dominate the aroma, complemented by hints of blackberries, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, it offers a harmonious blend of juicy fruit flavors, well-integrated tannins, and refreshing acidity, with subtle notes of baking spices and cocoa. Well-crafted Tempranillo. Jammy, balanced and structured.

Bodega: Esteban Celemín Viticultor

Region: Castilla y León

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 12 months in French oak

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 15%

Closure: Cork

Arnegui Joven 2022

Tasting: Fresh and elegant young Rioja. Flavours of red and black cherry with sweet vanilla spice. Certified Vegan friendly.

Bodega: Pagos del Rey

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 14%

Familia Pacheco Rosado 2023

Tasting: Made from the first free run of juice (the juice that is extracted purely by weight of the must, no pressing), this is an extraordinarily complex rosado, showing pear flesh, fresh summer berries and Mediterranean hillside herbs. 

Bodega: Viña Elena

Region: D.O. Jumilla

Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2023

Alcohol: 12.5%

Closure: Cork

Ramón Bilbao Reserva 2018

Tasting: Everything a traditional reserva Rioja should be. Intense aromas of fresh red and black fruit with sweet spices, vanilla and brioche, the palate, luxuriously silky, delivers cassis, blackcurrants, black cherry, incense laden spices and forthright but perfectly balanced tannin.

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano

Aging: 20 months in American oak followed by 20 months in bottle

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

López de Haro Rosado 2023

Tasting: Super fresh and crisp rosado, nodding its hat to Provence. Light, pink blossom on the nose, summer berries race across the palate. 

Bodega: Bodegas Classica

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2023

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Clea Crianza Tinto Fino 2018

Tasting: Intense dark fruit aromas, liquorice and tobacco. Silky soft and elegant on the palate with a nice balance of acidity and supple tannins. 

Bodega: Bardos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Aging: 14 months in new French oak.

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol 14%

Closure: Cork

Vega Demara Tempranillo 2018

Tasting: Medium bodied with cherries and violets on the nose, revealing a palate of intense red berry fruit.

Bodega: Vega Demara

Region: D.O. La Mancha

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Screw cap

Protos Seleccion Grajo Viejo 2019

Tasting: Elegant wine. Good aromatic range and great complexity. Aromatic bouquet of excellent mature black fruit, spicy notes, balsamic, toast and minerality. Tasty, broad and powerful, but with fine and elegant tannins. Great aging potential due to its structured tannins and noble-acidity.

Bodega: Bodegas Protos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: 18 months in new French oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Altanza Reserva 2017

Tasting: Bright and extremely expressive. This is a wonderful example of a modern style Rioja Reserva. Aromas of red and black fruits with elegant flavours of hedgerow fruits and black currants. Silky and smooth palate showing coffee, cacao and balsamic.

Bodega: Bodegas Altanza

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 18 months in new French oak

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol 14%

Closure: Cork

Altanza Crianza 2019

Tasting: Medium-plus bodied. Showing notes of black cherry, baking spices, chocolate and tobacco. Well balanced with fine tannins. Intense wine with vibrant fruit and a long finish.

Bodega: Bodegas Altanza

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 12 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol 13.5%

Closure: Cork