Winemaker Notes
Tempranillo is a versatile red that pairs well with paella, smoky ribs or shellfish in a garlicy sauce.
Blend: 78% Tempranillo 22% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This concentrated, complex wine is not overtly fruity, but draws interest from the first whiffs of black olive, rosemary and beef jus, backed by firm tannins and focused, tight blueberry and cranberry flavors. Count on it to open up and get even more friendly from 2024.
Editors' Choice
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.
Mitigated by mild Sacramento River Delta breezes, the Dunnigan Hills appellation is in the northwest portion of Yolo County and has a Mediterranean climate.