One of the more interesting Spanish varietal blends in California for the last several vintages. The 07 is mainly Tempranillo, with Graciano and Garnacha. It’s a very dry wine, soft and velvety in tannins, with a bite of acidity that makes it somewhat sharp. The flavors are mainly of cherries, with complex notes of green olives, cocoa, anise liqueur and sandalwood…
— S.H.
(11/1/2010)
What a wine. It tries to intimidate. At first, by its bottle size and alcohol level, but in the glass this 100% Garnacha is like a purring kitten—well a purring 20-pound Maine Coon cat, joyous in its pretty red fruit, and its earthy, meaty, vanilla and cinnamon toast range of goodness. All lush, Twisted Oak’s Torcido is, like a retro soap opera, brave and beautiful.
— V.B.
(5/1/2012)
This wine has been interesting since it first came out, and with the commanding 2006, it takes its place as one of the best Tempranillo-based red wines in California. It’s bone dry, and while it’s a little soft in acidity, the tannins are so refined that the wine retains structure. Flavor-wise, it’s all cherries, cedar and rich, earthy mulch notes.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
Compared to Twisted Oak’s *%#&@! Rhône blend, this is more full-bodied and tannic, no doubt due to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the blend, which also includes Tempranillo. It’s rich in black currants and spices and a touch of smoky oak. Very sophisticated, it represents a tremendous advancement in Calaveras County winemaking.
— S.H.
(11/15/2005)
Twisted Oak has a pretty serious track record with this wine. The ’05, a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha (Grenache), is very dry and complex. It’s soft but firmly tannic, with juicy flavors of cherries, raspberries, pomengranates, licorice, chocolate, cloves and pepper. Has the body of a fine Pinot Noir, with different flavors.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)
Here’s a beautiful Viognier, filled with ripe tropical fruit and flavor notes, spices, minerals and smoky oak. It’s crisp in acids, balanced and elegant, with a fabulously long, spicy finish. Just first rate.
— S.H.
(2/1/2005)
It may just be that this 84% Tempranillo blend (plus 12% Graciano, 4% Garnacha) needs some more time in bottle to develop, in which case it will only get better. In the meantime it has undeniable juicy, red fruit, grippy tannins that are just starting to mellow and is overall a very savory and delicious wine. Fermented as a field blend, The Spaniard mingled for…
— V.B.
(5/1/2012)
A deliciously priced blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah and 27% Grenache that’ll be tricky to ask for by name but is worth the effort to find and share. This blend shows off brooding dark dollops of spicy fruit, herb and tobacco that are tenaciously balanced by the cherry tones from the Grenache. A fun wine to pass around at parties and barbecues.
— V.B.
(6/1/2012)