Tempranillo

Tempranillo is most common in Spain, though it is also found in other countries including Portugal (where it’s called Aragonês or Tinta Roriz) and Argentina. It is the main grape used in some of Spain’s most highly-regarded regions including Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro. Flavors of berries, plum and tobacco spice are commonly experienced, with the depth and complexity of the wine dependant on the oak aging it has undergone. Popular synonyms include Cencibel, Tinta de Toro, Tinto del Pais and Tinto Fino. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Tempranillo among our extensive Tempranillo wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Tempranillo reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Tempranillo, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.

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Viña Sastre 2006 Pesus Red (Ribera del Duero)

Cellar Selection

Price $750

If there’s any such thing as the perfect Spanish red, Pesus is it. A blend of 80% Tempranillo with other grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine sees 200% new oak, resulting in a thick, dark, tannic beauty that bubbles over with toast, cola, mint, chocolate and spice aromas. The mouth is sheer heaven; a mile deep in terms of berry flavor and more, but… — M.S. (10/1/2010)

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Viña Sastre 2005 Regina Vides Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)

Price $195

From vines that are between 80 and 100 years, this is a marvelous example of top-notch Spanish red wine, regardless of region and grape variety. Hails from four vineyards, and the product is dark, concentrated, sultry, masculine and impressive. Giant black fruit flavors, texture, richness, coffee and cola make it truly special. Drinkable now; best in 3–5 more years. — M.S. (10/1/2010)

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Bodegas Roda 2001 Cirsion Red (Rioja)

Editors' Choice

Price $200

Dark as night, pure as silk, and rich as a sultan. This one wine defines the best of the new wave; a great high-end product from a perfect vintage. It’s intense, spicy, racy and still soft enough to wrap yourself around. Licorice, crushed peppercorn, chocolate, espresso and blackberry are just some of what you can pull from this baby. Cellar a few years then explore. — M.S. (9/1/2004)

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Viñedos de Paganos 2005 La Nieta Tempranillo (Rioja)

Price $150

The best new release in the Eguren family’s collection of modern Rioja wines is this small-production, 100% Tempranillo. It’s a true nuevo classico with proper touches of smoked meat, herbs and sweet black fruits as well as a lush, round mouthfeel that culminates in a mile-long finish. Destined to rock your socks off. Just over 300 cases produced. Imported by… — M.S. (9/1/2007)

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Aalto 2006 PS Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)

Cellar Selection

Price $115

A beautiful but enormous style of red wine with char, leather and saturated black fruit aromas. There’s also some lemony oak that will shed itself with time. Overall, it’s rich, delicious and a real fruit bomb with chocolate, vanilla, caramel, coffee and mocha, all of which are reflections of the oak aging it sees. PS stands for s seleccionados, and it’s really an… — M.S. (10/1/2010)

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Bodegas Roda 2009 Cirsion Tempranillo (Rioja)

Price $250

Solid as a battleship, with lemony oak, marzipan and layer upon layer of black fruit aromas. Almost syrupy in its richness but not fully; it’s chewy and creamy, with vital acids. The flavors are mega ripe and rich, emphasizing blackberry, black cherry preserves, fudge and fig paste. Yet at the same time it’s an ethereal wine; the epitome of modern Rioja. Drink now… — M.S. (4/1/2012)

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San Vicente 2005 Red (Rioja)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

Talk about a wine that makes you take notice. This is simply great modern Rioja. The nose is creamy but honest, with black fruit, mocha and finely tanned leather. The palate gives the whole range of berry and tree fruits, with expansive tannins and just enough core acidity to make it stunning. Ultra stylish and delicious; another huge success for the Eguren family… — M.S. (12/15/2008)

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Emilio Moro 2006 Malleolus de Valderramiro Tinto Fino (Ribera del Duero)

Cellar Selection

Price $180

Beautifully composed, with power and just as much precision and pizzazz. The nose offers lightly baked berry fruit notes, leather and spice, while the palate is loaded with tobacco, exotic spices and the finest natural berry flavors Spain has to offer. Smooth, elegant, finessed and potent, with integrated tannins and bold acidity that will keep it going for at… — M.S. (6/1/2010)

Most Reviewed Sub Varietals

Aragonês Aragonez Cencibel Tempranillo Blend Tinta de Toro Tinta Fina Tinta Roriz Tinto del Pais Tinto Fino

Most Reviewed Regions

Argentina Australia Israel Italy Mexico Portugal Spain US

Most Reviewed Wineries

Bodegas Faustino Bodegas Palacio Bodegas Valdemar CVNE El Coto Garcia Figuero Marqués de Cáceres Prado Rey Ramón Bilbao Sierra Cantabria Telmo Rodríguez Viña Mayor

2010 Andeluna Altitud

This is a high-quality Malbec with fleshy berry aromas that veer towards…

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