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 it from a new world wine, a savoury plum finish. Ready to drink now. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Website: http://www.telmorodriguez.com. Reviewed: July 2020.
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/. Source: Sample. Reviewed: 2020.
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 of cedar and spice. The palate is full bodied with ripe fruit, tannins and chocolatey overtones and some heat through it. Overall, this is a good value Ribera del Duero that is typical in its style. Rating: Good. Abv: 14.5%. Price: $20+. Website: bodegasvalparaiso.com.
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: Good. Abv: 10.5%. Price: <$15. Website: mrmick.com.au.
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: www.vinaceous.com.au.
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 can blend, as these are not obvious blending partners. This is an enjoyable and very good wine that is ready to drink now. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 13.5%. Price: $30. Source: Sample.
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.
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| 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 judged cedar influence. It resembles a modern Crianza style of tempranillo and is recommended. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 14%. Price: $26. Source: Sample.
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 softening, the length is good, and this wine is entering its best drinking window. A lot for $30. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 14.5%. Price: $30.50. Source: Sample. Read more: bordeauxandbeyond.com.
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 a mid range intensity of colour. On day 2, it is more spicy. The palate is between medium and full bodied with sour cherries and a dark chocolate overtone. Pleasant drinking. Rating: Good. Abv: 14%. Price: $30.