Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
While revealing the force of tinto de Toro’s tannins in all their power, this wine matches them with equal energy in its ripe fruit and spice. The vitality of its acidity completes the picture, a balanced portrait of this torrid zone of Spain.
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Wine Enthusiast
Robust black-fruit aromas of berry and cassis come with a mild animal note and leathery scents. This is jammy and a bit loud in terms of mouthfeel, while flavors of raisin, berry and chocolate finish meaty and loamy.
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.
Spain's remote, high elevation Spanish wine zone between the regions of Bierzo and Ribera del Duero produces intense, full-bodied reds made from Tempranillo, locally called Tinta de Toro. This local variant has adapted to the region’s climatic extremes and recognizing its potential, top producers from Ribera del Duero and Rioja have invested heavily in its vineyards.