This is a high quality Rioja Reserva from Remelluri. It opens to aromas of game, sweet red fruits and cedar. The palate is medium bodied with mid weight tannins. Its principal feature is its saturated red fruit character interlaced with chocolate. Long length on the finish confirms this to be a very good wine that…Continue readingRemelluri Reserva Rioja 2012
This McLaren Vale wine is made with the traditional Rioja blending partners of tempranillo and garnacha (grenache). It is a ripe and juicy wine in the style of a Rioja Joven. In the glass, there are blueberry and sweet cherry aromas. The palate is full bodied with a blueberry and fruity, gluggable character. Suitable for…Continue readingFat ‘n Skinny The Red Fury Tempranillo Garnacha 2018
From the Toro region in Spain, this is a more full throttle expression of tempranillo, more akin to a Ribera del Duero or Valencia than a Rioja in terms of style. Its aroma reminds of plum syrup and cooked blueberries. The palate is dry and full bodied, with sweet ripe fruit, soft tannins and, distinguishing…Continue readingTelmo Rodriguez Dehesa Gago 2018
This delicious wine is a McLaren Vale tempranillo fashioned in a “Joven” style and is the best wine of this producer’s current releases. It has an aroma of bright red berries. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fresh acidity and a light on its feet impression. Rating: Good. Abv: NA. Price: $35. Website: http://rustymutt.com.au/. …Continue readingRusty Mutt Conejo Joven Tempranillo 2018
First post for the new year! I’ve been tasting a battery of different styles in preparation for the Master of Wine exams, and will now up the posting. This is a sound tempranillo from producer Bodegas Valparaiso and the Ribera del Duero appellation. Deeply coloured in the glass, its aroma is restrained and savoury, reminding…Continue readingFinca el Encinal Ribera del Duero Roble 2016
The Mr. Mick rosé is made by Tim Adams in the Clare Valley and from the unlikely combination of sangiovese, tempranillo and mourvèdre. In the glass, it has a pink/purple hue, fresh acidity and is very fruity and finishes dry. Overall, this is a pleasant rosé that is low in alcohol and keenly priced. Rating:…Continue readingMr. Mick Rosé Clare Valley 2018
The wine inside this bottle is more appealing than its garish label, for me. From tempranillo sourced from Geographe in Western Australia, this rosé is European in styling, with a savoury aroma, medium body and fresh acidity. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.5%. Price: $20. Website: http://www.vinaceous.com.au. Continue readingVinaceous Salome Western Australia Tempranillo Rosé 2017
Topper’s Mountain’s Bricolage Rouge is an unorthodox blend of tempranillo, nebbiolo, tannat and shiraz. Ruby in colour, its aroma reminds of red fruits, smoke and minerals. The palate is medium bodied, with some chalky tannin and good length, and flavours reminding of red fruit, with a savoury, almost Italianate sour cherry aspect. The winemaker sure…Continue readingTopper’s Mountain Bricolage Rouge New England 2014
A slightly garish label, this wine is another from the BWS/Woolworths stable. It opens to ripe and fruity aromas of cherry and jam. The palate is full bodied, has seen some wood and presents as fruity and flavoursome, suitable for current drinking. Rating: Good. Abv: 14.0%. Price: $18. Source: Sample.Continue readingHogs in the Woods Fleurieu Peninsula Tempranillo 2016
The vintage shown in the picture is the 2015. This review is of the 2016 vintage. A 100% tempranillo from the Orange region, this wine from Angullong in the Orange region opens to aromas of red fruits and leather. The palate is medium bodied with chocolate and cherry characters, mid weight tannins and some well…Continue readingAngullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2016
There’s a lot of value to be had in red Rioja. This Rioja crianza is 8 years old and an 80/20 blend of tempranillo and graciano. It saw 18 months in barrel and is from an organic vineyard. In the glass, there are aromas of game, cedar, leather, spice and red fruits. The tannins are…Continue readingViñedos Real Rubio Crianza Rioja 2010
A second Spanish wine review, also from the same producer. I wasn’t initially entirely taken by this wine – a Rioja Reserva. That said, drinking it now a couple of days after opening, I am enjoying it. For this reason, I would suggest a long decant. It has a caramel and cedar driven nose, with…Continue readingHerederos del Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2013