Javier Asensio Tinto 2003
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Fruity and well balanced, this unoaked wine will bring a taste of Spain to your table. It pairs especially well with red meat and Mediterranean food.
The vineyard is located in Navarra, an up-and-coming wine region in Spain. The area extends from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Ebro basin on the edge of the Rioja Baja. Northern Navarra is very mountainous, while further south the landscape becomes more pastoral. The climate is affected by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
Just north of Spain’s famous Rioja region, Navarra excels in the production of full and fruit-dominant reds and good quality, dry rosés. Garnacha holds most of the land under vine, with Tempranillo coming in second place.