WTN: Rioja. Does tempranillo have a signature taste?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:32 pm
I love tempranillos. However, I have a hard time picking them out in a blind tasting. Have any of you detected any characteristic smell/taste profile to identify tempranillo?
This wine was 85% tempranillo and 15% mazuelo. Aged in American and and allion oak for 24 months then 20 month bottle aging.
Deep ruby red color with a tight nose at first. It gradually opens up to show plums, blackberries and a hint of vanilla but is still somewhat shy on the nose. Nice midpalate gell with firm buth smooth tannins and a nice streak of balancing acidity. Black fruits tingle the tongue with black cherry and blackberry predominanting. Nice medium long finish of black fruit and tannic twang.
This wine lights up with food . We paired it with roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, and caesar salad. Especially nice match with the meat as the tannins were tamed and fruit enhanced.
Wine: 2001 Rioja Reserva Conde de Valdemar. 13.5% abv.
This wine was 85% tempranillo and 15% mazuelo. Aged in American and and allion oak for 24 months then 20 month bottle aging.
Deep ruby red color with a tight nose at first. It gradually opens up to show plums, blackberries and a hint of vanilla but is still somewhat shy on the nose. Nice midpalate gell with firm buth smooth tannins and a nice streak of balancing acidity. Black fruits tingle the tongue with black cherry and blackberry predominanting. Nice medium long finish of black fruit and tannic twang.
This wine lights up with food . We paired it with roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, and caesar salad. Especially nice match with the meat as the tannins were tamed and fruit enhanced.
Wine: 2001 Rioja Reserva Conde de Valdemar. 13.5% abv.