Category Archives: Tempranillo

by

2010 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza Red

The Marques de Caceres was introduced to me some time ago by great friends, friends with a penchant for amazing food and great fondness for Spanish reds. They love the Riojas and served us a 2008 at their house in Raleigh; this 2010 we opened at our place to help usher in some Christmas merriment.

2010 Marques de Caceres Crianza Red, Rioja, Spain.

2010 Marques de Caceres Crianza Red, Rioja, Spain.

Like the 2008, this 2010 Crianza is deep ruby red and packs in a hearty berry burst that you’ll really enjoy if you like reds even a little. There’s some cherry here, or maybe even red raspberry flavor, but the truth is you really won’t much care. This one is not about the notes as much as the emotional response it will create for you. It’s delicious, easy to drink, and sure to cheer up the occasion you’ve decided to celebrate with this fruity Spanish gem.

Forgive the brevity of this particular entry; I’ve offered all the praise that I can for both this vintage and the 2008 Marques de Caceres. Pick one up today and start enjoying for yourself.

by

2012 Penascal Estate Tempranillo

Okay, the conditions for this Penascal are not ideal but hopefully give you an interesting read nevertheless. I’m on the road for work, hoteled tonight and making my way through the remainder of this 2012 Tempranillo from Penascal Estate. I picked it up after a long day at a Javits Center trade show, popping into a little bodega off 11th Avenue in search of some interesting bottle. I’m as non-judgmental as anyone, but it says something about your wine evening when the big requirement isn’t a region, a vintage, or a grape but rather a twist top.

2012 Penascal Estate Tempranillo, Castilla y Leon, Spain.

2012 Penascal Estate Tempranillo, Castilla y Leon, Spain.

But y’know what? This warm red is pretty welcoming, if not extravagant. The Penascal has a nice foundation of red fruit and has a little spice undertone as well. I’m drinking it out of a stupid paper cup, and it’s so red, so deep and inky red, that it almost looks black. This Tempranillo has an easy, tannin-free finish that is ingratiating and smooth on the tongue.

Already I’ve forgotten what the wine accompanied over the last couple evenings. Tonight, however, I had the 2012 Tempranillo with a simple salad, mixed greens with crumbles of baked ham, turkey, egg, tomato, and a few black olives. This meal is not that glamorous, but it is probably healthier, even with some light buttermilk ranch sprinkled about, than other options I had wrestled with this evening.

The Dallas Cowboys are on the radio, and I’m looking forward to the trip back home. One more night before heading out of the tri-state area…but one that’s better than expected thanks to the 2012 Penascal Estate Tempranillo.

by

Summer Reds

The summer is nearing its end, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t share several reds that we sampled along the way. Some scored high marks (like the Atilla’s Selection from Buena Vista); others like the Toro or Navardia will probably fall into the “been there done that” camp. The real fun is in discovering which is which. Here’s a fly-by for your consideration:

2011 Mannara Primitivo, Puglia, Italy.
2010 Solanera, vinas viejas, Yecla, Spain.
2012 Navardia, Rioja, Spain.
2013 Toro Tempranillo, Spain.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Rhone Villages, France.
2012 Cruz Alba Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina.
2012 Buena Vista Atilla’s Selection Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2011 Insomnia Red Wine Blend, California, USA.
by

2009 Ares Crianza, Rioja, Spain

Our local wine store was bringing all their Spanish wines to the mat, and in our last visit we grabbed several new reds that are now making their way to our humble table. A recent Tempranillo I’ve put off summarizing because it was largely forgettable, but this one is 180 degrees in the other direction. The 2009 Ares Crianza is a gem; it’s packed with a fruity, mossy scent and filled with both weight and substance.

Keeping my glass filled all night was a challenge, and regrettably I took no photo of this bottle as it was less and less full over the course of the evening. The 2009 Ares complimented juicy filet mignon, baked potato–pre-slashed and in need of only a sprinkle of salt–and a delicious pile of expertly cooked asparagus.  This guy drank his grapes from a Pinot Noir glass, and the Tempranillo showed off its muscle even in this crystal cage. Deep purple, damp, earnest, and lip-smacking–the Ares (my astrological sign) will be easy to remember.

I’ve learned that Rioja–which this wine is–is a term used to describe several red blends from Rioja. Tempranillo is at the heart of many of these blends, but Grenache and Carigan often play a role in a Rioja as well. But the 2009 Ares Crianza is supposed to be 100% Tempranillo, aged for 12 months in French oak, so Rioja must mean more than just Spanish red blends. Call it what you will, this one was fun and earned a place on our dinner table again in the future.

by

Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza Red 2008

Friday night I enjoyed the company of old friends and a new Tempranillo.  It’s always great when you’re mixing the two, in particular when they get you outside your “usual suspects” and choices.  If you read Notes with any frequency, you see tastes that run domestic more than European, reds more than whites, and Cabernets more than Merlots.  (This last one is obviously a current and seasonal bias…)

Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza Red 2008, Spain.

Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza Red 2008, Spain.

Consequently, I was really happy when our gracious hosts unveiled this treat on us.  It was a new opportunity to learn, consider, and describe.  The Crianza Red 2008 is deep ruby red in color, and with a hearty berry burst that comes tumbling right out of the bottle into your glass.  I’m not sure if it’s a cherry undertone or red raspberry base, but either way it’s on point.  Not sure if there’s a spice in the mix but presume so…though I have virtually no ability to separate it from the abundant fruity notes.  Easy, smooth finish too…

I sampled my first glass in the waning evening light, playing cornhole on a well-manicured Raleigh NC lawn and surrounded by the laughter of children and lifelong friends, and was fortunate to have another as the day began to wind to a close.  I’m not going to give you the experts’ feedback; the Marques website has that information if you want it.  I know this is affordable, accessible, and should be a ‘no brainer’ that complements a lot of situations in which you may find yourself.  Do it…and soon.

by

Creta 2010 Ribera del Duero Roble

On our last night with family for the Christmas holiday, we ordered a killer sheet pizza from the local Brockport joint and broke out a slew of interesting beverages for the evening.  These kept us company while we were bent over a puzzle featuring Coca Cola’s salute to females who served in the military in the early half of the 20th century.  Never did finish the puzzle before returning home to NJ, but we did crush the ‘za and enjoyed the Creta Roble 2010.  It needed some time to breathe but once it had its legs under it, the Roble was a nice find.  Lots of dark flavors in this rich Spanish red!  My tastes are sophisticated enough to pick out all the notes in play within the Roble, but I definitely grabbed on to the dark berries.

Creta 2010 Ribera del Duero Roble, Spain.

Creta 2010 Ribera del Duero Roble, Spain.

Here’s what Parker thought of the Creta 2010 Ribera del Duero Roble: “From a 70-year-old vineyard, this outstanding red wine offers notes of melted chocolate, black cherry jam, cedarwood, charcoal, and damp earth.  Rich, dense, supple-textured, fleshy, and medium- to full-bodied, it should drink well for 4-5 years.  It is a very impressive value. 100% Tempranillo.”

That dude (who gave it 90 points, in case those things matter to you) has a fun job–particularly on days when he gets to sample grapes like these.  Wish I’d bought more than one!