2008 Campillo Crianza Rioja (Spain)

 

This is just plain yum. Good with food or without, I wouldn’t hesitate in buying this if it was on a wine list and I was ordering for a table of people. A few years ago I would have avoided it exactly because it was a Tempranillo. Funny how your tastes can change with time.

It’s not much more than medium-bodied, but there’s a nice richness here. A cleansing acidity gives it good balance. Flavours of dark fruits, lovely coffee oak, before turning more savoury through the finish with some tobacco notes. Great to drink now, though it should also drink well for the next five years. Drinkability to the fore here.

Rated:

RRP: $30 approx.
Closure: Cork
Drink: 2013-2018
Website: www.bodegascampillo.com


Red

2006 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain)

When trying Rioja or Australian Tempranillo, I’ve often been left underwhelmed. That's not the case with this wine, however.

It is sexy, yet serious. Succulent, yet structured. It smells so good, with aromas of strawberries, chocolate orange, vanilla oak, tea leaves, and a lovely dustiness. To drink it is ripe yet medium bodied. There’s some nice juiciness to start before it turns very savoury, revealing a lovely liquorice and an emerging earthiness. Drying tannin shapes the wine nicely, and puts you in the mood for some barbecued meats. As a 6 year old wine, it is in the groove, but it continued to unwind and drink well over 4 days. Lots of love for this and I’ll be buying some for the cellar.

Rated:

RRP: $30
ABV: 14.0%
Closure: Cork
Drink: 2012-2020
Website: www.marquesdemurrieta.com


Red

2008 Tar & Roses Tempranillo (Heathcote, Alpine Valleys)

I’m yet to have a Tempranillo moment.

In the past few years, as my tastes have really expanded beyond the Aussie staples of Cabernet and Shiraz, I’ve invariably had a moment with other red varietals that have grabbed me, excited me, and made me want to go out and drink and purchase as much of the wine that my budget allows. Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo are all examples of where this has happened.

My Tempranillo moment may well come as I try more Spanish examples, as well as an increasing number of good quality Australian examples, but for whatever reason Tempranillo has thus far failed to grab my imagination.

This wine is good drinking and worked well while watching footy finals the other week with a pizza. Nice nose of red fruits, five spice and maybe a touch of tobacco. Oak is there but not unpleasant. To drink it’s a bit overripe but nevertheless has some enjoyable flavours of sour cherry, sarsaparilla, and liquorice. Medium-full bodied. Good wine and fairly priced. My score might be considered a bit miserly for those who have more of a taste for Tempranillo.

Rated:


RRP: $25
ABV: 14.0%
Website: www.tarandroses.com.au