Quinta dos Quatro Ventos, Douro DOC 2005 The smell is a mix of black fruits, brambles and earth. In the mouth there is minerality and tart fruit, the acidity making this great with roasted meats. At the same time, there is an integrated oaky richness and a sense of ripe tannins. The grapes are Tinta [...]

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Martin Codax, Rioja DOC, ERGO, Tempranillo 2006 The Martin Codax brand has developed a solid reputation on in the northwester portion of the country in Galicia. With this wine from the Rioja, the brand is throwing its equity behind Spain’s most recognized wine region. The smell is a pretty combo of cedar and vanilla. The [...]

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Bodegas Borsao, Campo de Borja DO 2006 There’s cherry fruit and a sense of cherry pie leaping out of the glass. The mouth is full of juicy fruit in a a light-bodied, easy to drink format. This is certainly the last of the ‘06 as the ‘07 is on the market. The good news is [...]

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Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva DOC 2000 The house style is soft and oaky with an appropriate acidic frame. The 2000 at this stage, 8 years on smells delightful; there’s sweet vanilla, earth and some stewed, evolving fruit and veg. The acid shows nicely, the tannins are subtle and there are long flavors of cocoa [...]

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This flight illustrates the divide between European and New World approaches. The Pesquera has complementary brett that works but offends some. The Yalumba is ripe and supple.
Pesquera Ribera del Duero DO Reserva 2001
100% Tempranillo. P&B by Alejandro Fernandez in Pesquera in Valladolid 13.5% $34.89 at Bottle Barn Pesquera
Yalumba Barossa Hand Picked TGV 2005
Ripe [...]

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Tempranillo plays a key role in the Spanish region of Rioja and along the river Duero aka Douro on the other side of the border in Portugal. In the latter country Tempranillo goes by the name of Tinta Roriz or simply Roriz. This flight looks at Tempranillo in varying percentages from both countries [...]

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