Style Light red Old World Country Spain Price $13
Vintage tasted 2009 Grapes Tempranillo, Viura
Website www.bodegasvaldelana.com

Overview Tempranillo is to Spain what Sangiovese or Nebbiolo are to Italy: famous national grape varieties capable of producing earthy, sophisticated, age-worthy wines. Tempranillo forms the core of the wonderful wines of Rioja, as well as those of Ribera del Duero. But unlike those wines, which are often aged for many years before being released to the public, this junior Rioja is young and fresh. So if you’ve ever wondered what that Rioja might have tasted like soon after it first fermented, this should give you a clue.

Nose Lots of cherry, along with some sawdust and green, grassy aromas.

Mouth More fruit here. Bold tannins should help it stand up to fairly hefty meat dishes.