Why we're drinking tempranillo today

22 Barricas Gran Reserva 2011

Tasting: Full-bodied Tempranillo. Smooth silky and supple with underlying concentration and power. A nose of red and black fruits, cloves, cedar and black peppercorn. Muscular palate of condensed ripe raspberry, black plums, woody spices and wonderfully bright acidity. Heaps of tannins, fruit and acidity left, suggesting that this wine has decades left to be enjoyed.

Bodega: Bodegas Montecillo

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 30 months in American oak

Vintage: 2011

Closure: Cork

Phincas 2019

Tasting: David Sampredo-Gil’s Bodegas Bhilar has slowly become one of the most respected small wineries in Rioja. His vineyards are bursting with life due to the biodiversity he encourages using organic and biodynamic farming. Based in the subregion of Alavesa around the town of Elvillar (Bhilar is the Basque word for Elvillar) he makes an array of exceptional wine that stuns his fans year after year. Floral scents and bright red fruit on the nose, the beguiling palate is full of truffles, red fruit, blueberries, spices, coffee and lots of minerality. 

Bodega: Bodegas Bhilar

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Viura

Aging: 18 months in French oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Vina Salceda Crianza 2019

Tasting: Traditional Rioja with aromas and flavours of plum, sloe berries, black cherry and woody spices

Bodega: Viña Salceda

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

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

Vintage: 2018

Closure: Cork

Phinca Abejera 2013

Tasting: David Sampredo-Gil’s Bodegas Bhilar has slowly become one of the most respected small wineries in Rioja. His vineyards are bursting with life due to the biodiversity he encourages using organic and biodynamic farming. Based in the subregion of Alavesa around the town of Elvillar (Bhilar is the Basque word for Elvillar) he makes an array of exceptional wine that stuns his fans year after year. Phinca Abejera is a majestic wine, deep and complex, aromas of lilac and red blossom, the velvety palate is redolent of redcurrants, black raspberry, Mediterranean herbs, and the trademark menthol quality that runs through so many of his wines.

Bodega: Bodegas Bhilar

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Viura  

Aging: 36 months in French oak barrels

Vintage: 2013

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Ostatu 2022

Tasting: High altitude, bush trained vineyards, organically farmed and certified by the Basque Organic Regulatory Council. A lighter style rosado made in the Provençal style, but perhaps with a little more interest and character. Zippy and fresh, with red berries, light white peach, mountain herbs and blossom. Summer in a bottle!

Bodega: Bodegas Ostatu

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura

Aging: Stainless steel on lees for 1 month

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Cork

El Pugil 2021

Tasting: Full and powerful. Aromas of blackberries, violet, dense red fruits, poached raspberry, black cherries and liquorice.

Bodega: Félix Solís (Pagos del Rey)

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2021

Closure: Cork

Las Sabias 2019

Tasting: Elegant and well-executed. Full bodied and powerful. Vibrant, balanced and rounded. Jammy fruit bomb but fresh and lively. Offering a harmonious structure with notes of black cherry, black plum, chocolate and vanilla.

Bodega: Dominio del Bendito

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 16 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Páramos de Nicasia Clarete 2019 

Tasting: Incredibly gastronomic. Oxidative character. Solid structure and breadth with delicious texture. White flowers and red berries. Fresh acidity and underlying herbal notes.

Bodega: Màquina y Tabla

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), Garnacha, Malvasía

Aging: 10 months in French oak

Closure: Cork

Piedra Natural Ecológico 2021

Tasting: Juicy wine with an explosion of fruit flavours. Strawberries, redcurrant, raspberries and black cherries. Medium bodied with nice dept.

Bodega: Bodegas Piedra

Region: D.O. Toro 

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Piedra Roble 2021

Tasting: Intense red-cherry color. On the nose is an explosion of fruit, berries, and licorice. Juicy and spicey. Palate shows red currant, raspberry and licorice. Pleasant and chewy. The finish is slightly bitter and nicely toasty. 

Bodega: Bodegas Piedra

Region: D.O. Toro 

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), Garnacha

Aging: 4 months in French oak

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Piedra Reserva 2016

Tasting: Dark red-black cherry color, with a violet rim.
The nose shows wild fruits and forest floor. Notes of dark fruit, mineral, balsamic, roasted coffee, chocolate and vanilla. The high-quality oak gives a beautiful roundness and long finish to the wine.

Bodega: Bodegas Piedra

Region: D.O. Toro 

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and Garnacha

Aging: 18 months in French oak

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Nicasia Tinta de Toro 2017

Tasting: Medium bodied red. Raspberries, violet aromas, grapefruit, flowers, ripe red fruit and minerality.

Bodega: Màquina y Tabla

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 14 months in old French oak

Closure: Cork

El Gallinero Rose 2022

Tasting: Bright and intense flamenco pink color, with a slight violet reflections. On the nose, red and black fruit as currants and blueberries. On the palate it's well-balanced with medium acidity and with a slight tannic presence.

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Valdemonjas

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Bardos Reserva 2018

Tasting: Flesh and powerful on the palate, with a strong personality that comes from Tempranillo grown in this region. The nice acidity and tannins brings balanced and  structure to this full-bodied wine. Long and intense finish. 

Bodega: Bodegas Bardos

Region: Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon

Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

El Patio de Valdemonjas Tinto 2022

Tasting: An award-winning winery, made by outstanding wine maker Alejandro Moyano. This winery is completely without electricity and water supplies. Organically grown. El Patio is grown in the lower slopes of the vineyard, but still 740m above sea level! Medium bodied, bright, juicy red fruit. Juicy raspberry, strawberry compote and silky texture as with all of Alejandro’s wines. This wine simply makes you smile when you drink it!

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Valdemonjas

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Baluarte Roble Tempranillo 2022

Tasting: Medium bodied dry red wine. Aromas of strawberry, blossom, raspberry and toasted cedar.

Bodega: Bodegas Chivite

Region: D.O. Navarra

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 3 months in American oak

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Screw cap

Martínez Lacuesta Crianza 2019

Tasting: Classic Rioja from a traditional producer of Rioja Alta. Ripe black fruits, black cherry, blackberries, sweet vanilla and spices. Nice finish with smooth, silky tannins.

Bodega: Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

Aging: 18 months in American oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Cork

Protos 27 2020 Magnum

Tasting: Intense cherry red colour with violet hints. The nose is elegant with fresh  aromas of ripe black fruit with sweet spices and toasted notes. Expressive and complex wine. Balanced and easy to drink. The tannins are round and contribute to a smooth texture.

Bodega: Bodegas Protos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Vintage: 2020

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: 16 months in new French oak

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Protos 27 2020

Tasting: Intense cherry red colour with violet hints. The nose is elegant with fresh  aromas of ripe black fruit with sweet spices and toasted notes. Expressive and complex wine. Balanced and easy to drink. The tannins are round and contribute to a smooth texture.

Bodega: Bodegas Protos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Vintage: 2020

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: 16 months in new French oak

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Altanza Club Reserva 2015

Tasting: Medium plus body. Fleshy wine, with good acidity and structure. Flavors of  black fruit, licorice, spices, coconut, vanilla and leather. Long finish with balanced tannins.

Bodega: Bodegas Altanza

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging:  18 months in new French oak

Vintage: 2015

Alcohol 14%

Closure: Cork

Ostatu Crianza 2020

Tasting: Well made Crianza. Medium-plus body. Fruit-driven, balanced and complex. The palate is full of black fruit and toasty oak characters. Earthy and savoury red with a smooth finish.

Bodega: Bodegas Ostatu

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha, Graciano

Aging: 12 Months in French oak

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Clea Reserva 2018

Tasting: Great blend from Ribera del Duero. Full bodied. Intense and ruby. The nose if full of intense mature dark fruit, chocolate and smoky aromas. Palate follows with delicious bramble fruit, blackberries and espresso. Bold wine, powerful and fleshy. Firm tannins, fine acidity with a lingering finish.

Bodega: Bardos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon

Aging:  16 months in new French oak

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Zuazo Gaston Reserva 2018

Tasting: An impressive red wine with a deep, inviting garnet color. Its aroma is a complex tapestry of dark fruit, including black cherries and plums, intertwined with notes of vanilla, tobacco, and leather. The palate is equally rich, with a seamless integration of ripe fruit, well-defined tannins, and a touch of oak. This Reserva boasts a long and elegant finish, showcasing its aging potential and the depth of flavor it offers. 

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Zuazo Gastón

Region: Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano

Aging: 20 months in French oak barrels.

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Las Tierras El Pego Tempranillo 2019

Tasting: Dark red cherry colour with a purple hint. Ripe black fruit with notes of vanilla on the nose. Juicy and ripe fruit on the palate, followed by silky tannins. Balanced and fresh.

Bodega: Rodriguez Sanzo

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 12 months in 2-3 year old French and American oak barrels.

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork