Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Tinta Roriz was aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is focused and it lingers on the finish. It is also a wine that has a somewhat warm feel to it, but it easily stays in balance and never seems clumsy. It's rich and deep, and it expresses its fruit well. It should continue holding well for the rest of the decade, maybe more, but I doubt it will improve more. This is a great time to dive in. It's at peak now and a little bit better than the last time I saw it. The price of this library wine is merely the current release price.
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.
Producing some of the country’s most dignified and mineral-driven red wines, Dão is positioned in north central Portugal where granite mountains surround and shelter the region from any Atlantic maritime influence. Summers are long and warm; winters see abundant rainfall.