Category Archives: Tempranillo

Lopez de Haro, Tempranillo, Crianza, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Meh.  I expected more from this wine. A 90% Tempranillo with 7% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano for perfume and colour, this is a Crianza version from a hillside at the village of San Vicente de La Sonsierra in Rioja, Spain. … Continue reading

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Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine.  The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading

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Dominio IV, The Tango, Tempranillo, Columbia Gorge AVA, Three Sleeps Vineyard, Oregon, US, 2006, 13.8% abv, US$45

I’m so confused. Most who know me would say that’s a permanent state (insert raised eyebrow here).  That aside, herein lies the source of my befuddlement. This wine is made from Tempranillo, but the winery is based in Oregon’s McMinnville … Continue reading

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Rose, Bodegas Muga, Rioja DOCa, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, C$18

Summer is meant for rose wine – or is it the other way around?  I often wonder why rose is not called ‘pink’ wine in English – we have white and red, so why not pink? This pink wine is fresh, … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, ROSE, Spain, Tempranillo, Viura / White Rioja | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Viña Tondonia, Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Spain, 2001, 12.5% abv.

It was a small miracle of a find – bottles of López de Heredia at the liquor store on sale no less. My happy day was due to someone ordering in a case and then reneging.  Who does that to … Continue reading

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, RED, Tempranillo | Leave a comment

Tempranillo, Miner Family Vineyards, Sierra Foothills, Silverado Trail, Napa Valley AVA, California, 2010, 14.5% abv, $US28

We’re back in Canada from our trip to Napa – and you know what that means.  Taxes and duties on alcohol at the border. I paid duty and taxes at the border on the 20 non-exempt bottles of wine to … Continue reading

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Vinas Elias Mora, Toro DO, San Roman di Hornija, Valladolid, Spain, 2009 14.5% abv, C$19

Oh, Spanish wines – how we love and adore you.  Great deals, fabulous fruit, complexity… Let me count the ways. The Elias Mora is from the northwestern corner of Spain, directly west of Ribera del Duero.  Made from Tinta de … Continue reading

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Matsu, El Recio, Tinta de Toro, Toro DO, Spain, 14.5% abv.

If my sources are correct and El Recio refers to a ‘tough guy’ – then the picture on this bottle says it all!  He definitely looks tough. The wine’s not though – and it’s one of my favourite types.  Spanish?  Check. … Continue reading

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Tinto Pesquera, Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero DO, Alejandro Fernandez, Crianza, Spain 2009,14% abv, US $32

Rather than lug this back through customs in my tiny suitcase, I decided to liberate it on an evening in Boston. It could have waited a few years as it’s still a tad green and grippy. That said, it was … Continue reading

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Viña Tondonia, López de Heredia, Rosada, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2000, 12% abv.

I’ve been waiting to open this bottle for a while. After reading about it in the New York Times, I bought two of the three bottles available locally and opened one when family came to visit from England. Come to think of … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, Macabeu/Viura, ROSE, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment