Tag: #tempranillo

On The Third Day of Wine Events…

On By sandysoloIn Spanish Wine, Storytasting, Wine, wine reviewLeave a comment

On the third day of wine events the vintners gave to me, La Rioja and Jumilla, Yummy!

Today I had some of my favorite clients on a virtual event that lasted much longer than normal because they were so engaged and interactive. I had a bunch of fun talking about one of my favorite topics, Spanish wine, and tasting these wines:

La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza Reserva – 2008: This wine pretty much affirms my earlier opinion that I like Ribera del Duero Tempranillo more than La Rioja. Sorry. This was a good wine, but not my jam. It had this truffles-buried -under-forest-floor note that is similar to why I don’t love Bordeaux – which makes so much sense based on the influence of Bordeaux on La Rioja.  Also nutmeg  which is not my favorite aroma either, and a little bittersweet chocolate.  On the palate there were some tart cherries but I could not get past the truffle nutmeg earth. So again, it was a good wine just not in my aroma wheel sweet spot.

Clio,  Jumilla 2018 – So most Monastrells I’ve have had from Jumilla have topped off at about $17 and have been delicious. So I was expecting this $45 Jumilla to literally knock my socks off. The 16% abv was enough to knock them right off if the richness didn’t. That signature smokey nose was full-on tobacco, followed by dark berries, toasted caramel and a wee bit of steak tar tar. Also, a noticeable amount of green bell pepper from the Cab (it’s 30% Cab) but there was enough of the other goodness to drown out my least favorite red aroma.  Very full body, berry rich, smooth caramel, and I didn’t hate the slight bell pepper.

Vina Vilano Bodegas, 2013, Ribera del Duero Reserva

On By sandysoloIn Spanish Wine, Storytasting, Wine, wine reviewLeave a comment

I completed my semester of Advanced Spanish Wine last week and am in serious withdrawal. To combat this, I purchased a boat load of Spanish wine from various stores and online retailers. I was already in love with Priorat prior to taking this class but now I have a full on crush on practically every wine region in Spain. If anything, it has given me a greater appreciation for higher acidity. I’m definitely a reserva girl though. Enter this 100% Old Vine Tempranillo from Ribero del Duero.

The minerals in the nose are fantastically interesting and prominent. Then it gets a little earthy and there is a hint of menthol. Like you buried some Vic’s Vapor Rub in some dirt and topped that off with wet stones. Then finally some dark fruit, like blackberry and plumb jam. Then to my surprise and delight at the top of the glass there is a light floral note. I did not see that coming. I could smell this all night.

The dark fruit on the tongue is cut short as the acid strikes, but then they blend together seamlessly. It’s both fresh and dark. And then cocoa covered earth. Like you mixed unsweetened baking cocoa with some dirt and you loved it. It’s cool and mysterious. It’s so not my normal jam but maybe I needed a new tune.

The aging standards of a Reserva have matured the acids right into a sweet spot.

I think I found my summer romance.

Te quiero, Ribera del Duero Reserva.