Winemaker Notes
To the eye it has an intense ruby-red color with nuances of ageing. On the nose it shows red and black fruits notes, wrapped with hints of vanilla, black pepper and cedar. On the palate, the wine is round, with an excellent balance of body and acidity, firm-yet-soft tannins, with long finish and pronounce flavor intensity, reminiscent of black berries, dark cherries, black currants, vanilla, black pepper and cocoa.
Blend: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
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.