Tempranillo Blend
Showing 1 thru -9 of 695
Viña Sastre 2006 Pesus Red (Ribera del Duero)
- Cellar Selection
- $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)
Bodegas Roda 2001 Cirsion Red (Rioja)
- Editors' Choice
- $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)
San Vicente 2005 Red (Rioja)
- Editors' Choice
- $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)
Remírez de Ganuza 2005 Old Vines Unfiltered Red (Rioja)
- Editors' Choice
- $82
Concentrated to the hilt, with molten black fruit, coconut and mint aromas. The palate is driven, tannic, pure and features dynamite flavors of black fruit, bitter chocolate and spice cake. So beautiful and big, but also showing elegance and restraint. Drinkable now but will age well for another seven years or more.
— M.S.
(4/1/2010)
Bodegas Roda 2000 Roda I Red (Rioja)
- Cellar Selection
- $60
It’s hard to imagine the subsequent vintage surpassing this purring monster, but it could and probably will. That said, the current 2000 is magnificent in its dark masculinity and layered complexity. The fruit aromas are perfect, the spice notes exotic, and overall it’s just a blast to drink. Lots of sweet oak is still front and center, so give it until 2006 for it…
— M.S.
(9/1/2004)
Vega Sicilia 1994 Unico Gran Reserva Red (Ribera del Duero)
- Editors' Choice
- $325
Who else but Vega holds wines for more than 10 years before their release? This gorgeous Único spent 104 months in large casks and smaller barrels, yet there’s virtually no overt wood. The nose is foresty and complex, with hints of tomato, leather and licorice. Flavors of plum, cherry and vanilla are otherworldly, and there’s enough tobacco to conjure memories of a…
— M.S.
(6/1/2005)
Marqués de Murrieta 2004 Dalmau Red (Rioja)
- Editors' Choice
- $165
Dalmau, the ultrapremium Tempranillo blend from Marques de Murrieta, is 65% pricier in 2004 than ’03. And that might be justified. This is a spectacular wine in every sense of the word. The nose blends alluring scents of smoke, asphalt, rubber and black fruit. The palate is saturated and smooth, with black cherry and blackberry flavors leading the way. Coffee…
— M.S.
(8/1/2008)
Astrales 2005 Red (Ribera del Duero)
- Editors' Choice
- $60
This is a huge and impressive step up from the 2003 Astrales, which was fine but not at this level. Here we’re talking about color, bouquet, palate feel, intense flavors, finish, you name it. It’s pure, ultratasty, chocolaty, smooth and pleasurable. Astrales is the complete package and a wine to watch.
— M.S.
(11/15/2008)
Showing 1 thru -9 of 695
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2005 Gershon Bachus Aquilo North Wind Special Edition Robbins Vineyards
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