
Tempranillo
Learn about Tempranillo — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Notoriously food-friendly with soft tannins and a bright acidity, Tempranillo is the star of Spain’s Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions and important throughout most of Spain. Depending on location, it takes on a few synonyms; in Penedès, it is known as Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Furthermore in Portugal, known as Tinta Roriz, it is a key component both in Port wines and the dry red wines of the Douro. The New World regions of California, Washington and Oregon have all had success with Tempranillo, producing a ripe, amicable and fruit-dominant style of red.
Tasting Notes for Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a dry, red wine and produces medium-weight reds with strawberry and black fruit characteristics. Depending on growing conditions and winemaking, it can produce hints of spice, toast, leather, tobacco, herb or vanilla.
Perfect Food Pairings for Tempranillo
Tempranillo’s modest, fine-grained tannins and good acidity make it extremely food friendly. Pair these with a wide variety of Spanish-inspired dishes—especially grilled lamb chops, a rich chorizo and bean stew or paella.
Sommelier Secrets for Tempranillo
The Spanish take their oak aging requirements very seriously, especially in Rioja. There, a naming system is in place to indicate how much time the wine has spent in both barrel and bottle before release. Rioja labeled Joven (a fresh and fruity style) spends a year or less in oak, whereas Gran Reserva (complex and age-worthy) must be matured for a minimum of two years in oak and three years in bottle before release. Requirements on Crianza and Reserva fall in between.
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Numanthia Toro 2003Tempranillo from Spain
- RP
- WE
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Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2003Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Bodegas Muga Torre Muga 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- RP
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Artadi Pagos Viejos 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Bodegas Muga Reserva (375ML half-bottle) 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Finca Allende 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
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Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Reserva 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Bodegas Muga Reserva 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- W&S
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Vinas del Cenit Venta Mazarron 2003Tempranillo from Spain
- RP
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Sierra Cantabria Cantabria Coleccion Privada 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Javier Asensio Tinto 2003Tempranillo from Navarra, Spain
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Campo Viejo Crianza 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Bodegas Castejon Nobul Red 2003Tempranillo from Spain
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Marques de Riscal Tempranillo 2003Tempranillo from Rueda, Spain
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R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Faustino VII Tempranillo 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Arienzo Crianza 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Castell del Remei Gotim Bru 2003Tempranillo from Spain
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Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Tinto 2003Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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CVNE Crianza 2003Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Torres Celeste Crianza 2003Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Marco Real Tempranillo 2003Tempranillo from Spain
- RP
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Torres Coronas Tempranillo 2003Tempranillo from Spain