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.
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)
Viña Sastre 2001 Pesus Tinto del Pais (Ribera del Duero)
- $395
Talk about a wine that’s tight as a bank vault. You almost need a pick and axe to get into this bruiser. The bouquet is drawn in, with toast, lemon peel and pure belt leather adding a manly element to the earthy fruit that lurks below. What a pedigree on this single-vineyard alta expressión red, and the coffee-flooded finish goes on and on. Hold until 2009. 125…
— M.S.
(6/1/2005)
Aalto 2001 PS Tinto del Pais (Ribera del Duero)
- Editors' Choice
- $105
Aalto is one of several smaller projects being led by former Vega Sicilia head winemaker Mariano García, and we think this 2001 Pagos Seliccionados (PS) is his best effort to date. The wine is dark, with charcoal, lemon and pure black-fruit aromas. It features a brilliant luster and deep, rich, syrupy flavors of maple, boysenberry and black cherry. Shows a…
— M.S.
(6/1/2005)
Ostatu 2003 Gloria de Ostatu Tempranillo (Rioja)
- Editors' Choice
- $75
Full and ready, this fabulous wine from Rioja Alavesa sets the bar very high for any of its Vanguardia co-runners. Gloria hits hard with bacon, tire rubber, tobacco and pastry crust aromas, but also pure dark fruit. Then it’s wave after wave of boysenberry and crisped brown sugar flavors prior to a finale of heady European chocolate. Need we say more? 750 cases…
— M.S.
(9/1/2007)
Finca Allende 2004 Calvario Tempranillo (Rioja)
- $105
The bouquet explodes with tobacco, leather, dry oak and waves of berry fruit. In the mouth, the wine sits comfortably on the tongue, with firm tannins offering structure to the bedazzling boysenberry, black cherry and cassis flavors. Long and intoxicating on the finish. It’s 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha and Graciano. 650 cases made. Imported by Tempranillo, Inc.
— M.S.
(9/1/2007)
Artadi 2004 Pagos Viejos Tempranillo (Rioja)
- Cellar Selection
- $95
Classic in color, and backed by aromatics of lavender, graphite and pure blackberry. This is not overly weighty, as the acidity keeps it pointed and pure. There’s a lot of elegance and balance to this wine; a perfect example of how to blend multiple vineyards into one excellent whole.
— M.S.
(9/1/2007)
Sierra Cantabria 2004 Finca El Bosque Tempranillo (Rioja)
- Cellar Selection
- $145
What a superb combination of new oak, leather, mineral, mocha and berry fruit this wine delivers. It’s a giant, with a ripped palate of upfront boysenberry and then coffee and vanilla in support. All the power, precision and other attributes of modern Rioja are on display. Best in a few more years.
— M.S.
(9/1/2007)
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)
Most Reviewed Sub Varietals
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2009 Va Piano
Having been given almost four years of age prior to release, this deep…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity