why we're drinking tempranillo today
As much as we love Pinot, Syrah & Cabernet, if we had to choose one red grape varietal to drink for the rest of our lives it would be Tempranillo.
We drink wine by how we feel and the occasion we're in. We like to start with something on the lighter side and finish big, we do not start big and finish with even bigger, unless of course someone else is paying.
Starting with something light and fresh, then choose a Tempranillo from a more moderate weathered region that often produces light to medium style of reds. If ballsy is what you're after, then choose a wine from the sun-baked climate that bangs out Tempranillo as big and bold as any Shiraz.
If you're price conscience because you've kept your money in the bank and not invested into Bitcoin, then we can't think of another grape varietal that can produce so many quality wines at affordable prices.
Here are just a few we recommend...
Light bodied Tempranillo
Bodegas Mateos - D.O.Ca Rioja
A family winery currently run by the seventh generation. Bodegas D.Mateos combine tradition with innovation. With 100 hectares of vineyards they grow a range of varietals, with Tempranillo dominant and under the Rioja ageing
regimen.
BUY 6 Bottles of Red - Was $59 now $29.5 per bottle
2016 ‘Valcendon’, Crianza,
80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 10% Graciano,
D.O.Ca Rioja
After aging for 14 months in 225-liter French oak barrels, the wine remains 12 months in the bottle. Upper middle layer color with intense violet tones. High aromatic intensity, vanilla, coconut, leathers and roasted (coffee) and a light cherry base. In the mouth it is long and very broad, silky. Red fruit and vanilla aftertaste, with a sweet and pleasant finish.
Cheap & Cheerful
Arnegui - D.O.Ca Rioja
BUY 6 Bottles of Red - Was $22 now $14.3 per bottle
2018 ‘Arnegui Joven
100% Tempranillo
D.O.Ca Rioja
Intense cherry color with violet tones, fruity aroma of sweet cherries and blackberries. The aromas are perfectly reflected in the mouth, with additional touches of violet and licorice. Very smooth with harmonious tannins and subtle sweet spice notes in the aftertaste. Medium bodied.
No Barrel aging.
Medium & Spice
Romantica - D.O. Ribera Del Duero
BUY 6 Bottles of Red - Was $39 now $27.3 per bottle
2016 Bardos Romantica
100% Tempranillo
D.O. Ribera del Duero
Tasting: Thick, elegant and silky. Mouthfull of plums, strawberries, prunes and pepper spice with delicate tannins. A classic Ribera wine that comes from old parcels in Quintanilla de Onésimo. Medium to full.
Aging: Crianza - 14 months in used French Oak.
Big Daddy
MATSU RECIO - D.O. TORO
BUY 6 Bottles of Red - Was $55 now $35.75 per bottle
2017 Matus Recio
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)
D.O. Toro
Recio is a large wine of great finesse. Nose with an intense aroma of chocolate, black fruits and vanilla. In the mouth it has a surprising, silky and round taste, very creamy with slight hints of glycerin. Subtle aftertaste of fruit and mineral notes. It is a powerful and heavy wine, but at the same time easy to drink during the right moment.
Aging: Crianza - 14 months in used French Oak.
So you trade Bitcoin
LOS TRES DONAS - D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO
BUY 6 Bottles of Red - Was $95 now $66.5 per bottle
2014 Los Tres Donas
100% Tinta Fina (Tempranillo)
Tasting: Situated a stone's throw from Spain's most famous winery, Vega Sicila, this wine is sitting up there as one of the region's best Tempranillo wines under $100. There is an abundance of red fruit, vanilla & blackberry spice. An ambitious wine that certainly delivers in spades. Worth every cent.
Bodega: Pago de Valdemojas
Aging: 14 months French & Hungarian 255l & 500L oak barrels