26 posts
2020 Señorio de Odon Crianza ($6.99) In Spanish wine, Crianza is a regulated aging classification that literally translates to “breeding” or “nurturing”. It is the second tier of aged wine in Spain’s quality system, sitting between young, un-aged wi...
2016 Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja ($30) Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva 2016 is a well-regarded Spanish red wine from the Rioja region of Spain. With a history dating back 50 years, Bodegas Olarra base their wines on the ideal selection of the ra...
2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja ($12) This wine was bottled for Bodegas Ondarre, located in the Rioja region of Spain. It is a “Gran Reserva” wine which means that it was aged for a minimum of five years in oak and bottle with a minimum of 2 years...
2023 Puerta de Plata ($7.99) Puerta de Plata (i.e., Silver Door) wine is produced in Spain and bottled by Terra Cellars. It is made from 60% Tempranillo and 40% Garnacha. A bit of on-line searching seems to indicate this wine was aged for 12 mon...
November 14th is International Tempranillo Day! Here are three really nice Tempranillo wines from Gonzalez Byass: 2016 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.00) A Gran Reserva from Rioja, like this one, spends a minimum of two years aging in oak and three ye...
2019 Bouza Monte Vide Eu Red Blend ($67) Red-blend wines are some of the best in the world. This is a red blend from Bouza, is produced in the southern region of Montevideo in Uruguay. The name, Monte Vide Eu, loosely translates to “I see a hill” w...
2018 Volver Tempranillo ($16) Bodegas Volver creates wines in regions of Spain such as Alicante, La Mancha, Jumilla, Rueda, Valencia and soon Rías Baixas. It is differentiated by its modern approach of working with indigenous varieties. The winery ...
2012 LAN Viña Lanciano Rioja Reserva ($19.99) The grapes used in the production of this Rioja Reserva come from a selection of vines of more than 30 years of age located in LAN’s Viña Lanciano estate. It is produced from 90% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano...
2012 LAN Rioja Reserva Recently I featured LAN Rioja Crianza as the Behind the Cork™ wine of the week. Now we step it up to the LAN Rioja Reserva. This Rioja is from vineyards in the Rioja Alta and Alavesa subzones with an average age of vines bein...
2016 Bodegas LAN Crianza This Bodegas LAN Crianza is from Spain’s famous Rioja region that is best known for its Tempranillo that is a full-bodied wine that is typically high in tannin. The winery’s name LAN represents the initials of the DOCa prov...
2014 Fournier Reserva ($50) This Dominio Fournier Reserva is from Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is produced from 100% Tinta del País grapes which are more commonly known as Tempranillo. The grapes come from the terraced sides of the Duero River whi...
2016 Fournier Crianza ($30) This Fournier Crianza is from Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is produced from 100% Tinta del País grapes which are more commonly known as Tempranillo. The grapes come from the terraced sides of the Duero River which winds...
2017 Bela Ribera del Duero ($19) This beautiful wine is from Ribera del Duero, located in the village of Villalba del Duero, in the province of Burgos, Spain. The 182-acre estate vineyard was planted in 2002 mostly with Tempranillo. The three stars...
2010 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.99) The Rioja region of Spain is famous for its wine that are based on Tempranillo. This Gran Reserva offering from Beronia is comprised of 97% Tempranillo with 3% Graciano. Tempranillo means “little early one”, a nam...
Bodegas Ochoa Calendas Rosé ($12) This is another wonderful offering from the Navarra region of Spain. This rosé of Garnacha (70%) and Tempranillo (30%) is bright cherry red in color and has a beautifully soft mouth-feel. This rosé is produced by ...
2018 Cune Rosado ($13) This wonderful Cune rosé is from the Rioja region of Spain and is made from their famous Tempranillo. The bright red color of this Cune rosé is spectacular. And, hence, it’s big Maraschino cherry and ripe strawberry flavors a...
2016 Vallobera Rioja Crianza ($10) This was an unexpected recent find. A Tempranillo from Spain. And, it’s a Crianza. This style of Rioja is required to be aged for one year in oak and spend one year in the bottle before being sold. This extra agin...
2012 Paniza Reserva ($7) This was a recent find. And, in true fashion for a Behind the Cork™ wine feature, it’s a great value! This is blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache. And it’s a tasty blend. The Tempranillo and...
2014 Ochoa Crianza Tempranillo ($23) From the northern Spanish wine region of Navarra comes this 100% Tempranillo. It is one of six signature wines from Javier Ochoa. Being a “Crianza” it has been aged for 12 months in American oak and then spends...
2013 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($20) This Rioja from Beronia is produced with 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano (known as Morrastel in Languedoc) and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan). Being a ‘Reserva’ in Rioja means that this wine is required to be aged for at...
2015 Beronia Crianza Rioja ($15) The Rioja region of Spain is noted for its Tempranillo and this one from Beronia is indeed noteworthy. This is a typical Rioja blend of grapes consisting of 91% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a Carig...
2013 Hacienda López de Haro Reserva ($16) This Rioja Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Granacha and 5% Graciano. It’s grown in vineyards located near the heart of La Rioja, surrounded by the Sierra de Cantabria mountain and the river Ebro. ...
2015 Matsu “El Viejo” Tinta de Toro ($47) I saved the best for last! In previous Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week reviews I’ve featured Matsu’s “El Picaro” and “El Recio” wines, both of which are very nice Tempranillos from the Toro region of Sp...
2015 Matsu “El Recio” Tinta de Toro ($22) This is the second in the lineup of 100% Tempranillos from Matsu. This one also comes from the D.O. Toro in north-western Spain. The grapes used in this wine come from 90 to 100 year old vineyards that are ...
2016 Matsu El Pícaro Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) $14 From the D.O. Toro in Spain, this 100% Tinta de Toro is grown in 50 to 70 year old vineyards and manually harvested. It is fermented in concrete with natural yeasts. Matsu pays homage on their l...
2013 Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial ($30) Abadia Retuerta first started producing wines in Spain in 1996. The winery and surrounding vineyards are on the former site of the 12th century Santa Maria de Retuerta Monastery in Sardón de Duero. This ...