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Showing posts with label Tempranillo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tempranillo. Show all posts

Thursday, 6 November 2025

Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2022



Wine shouldn't be this good for fifteen clams! Fresh and youthful take on Tempranillo, all brambly black fruit, quite primary. 


Light, lithe, supple - a delicate weight to it too, ethereal if you like. Veers towards a savoury bitterness towards the finish. Would stand shoulder to shoulder alongside 'Joven' styles double the price. Not recommended to pair with clams. 90


Tasted on: Wednesday 29th October
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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Wednesday, 29 October 2025

De Bortoli One Line Tempranillo 2024


De Bortoli's One Line range is seeking to showcase the historic region of Rutherglen, with its diversity and potential.

Here this Tempranillo shows Blueberry, Plum, touch of baked earth. Mid-weight, with a rub of decent tannin on a length with some bright pop of flavour freshening things up.


Bit of warmth through the finish, the high - and sun-drenched - vineyards of Rutherglen showing their hand in this one. 90


Tasted on: Friday 24th October
Source: Sample
Price: $23.95
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Wednesday, 1 February 2023

Amigo de La Tierra 2021


Organic Grenache and Tempranillo blend from a broader 'Wine of Spain' designation.

Dark Berry fruit with something like a balsamic edge. It's deep and showing its warmer clime origins in spite of that 13.5% alcohol.

Slick, full bodied feel, yet with a lightness across the palate at odds to that. It's dry, on a moderate length - with remnants of that boozy warmth at its conclusion. 88

Tasted on: Wednesday 23rd November
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Wednesday, 25 January 2023

La Sorda Rioja 2020


Baked raspberry over earth warmed by a summer sun. Remnants of oak - in a supporting role - with bay
and woody herb.

Lovely powdery, drying tannins here - still with a freshness and vitality across the length. Delivers in spades, all too often Rioja can come across as tired and dusty, not so here. A tidy offering. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 26th November
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.26%
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com 

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Wednesday, 16 March 2022

Clandestine Vineyards Tempranillo Rosé 2021


Geographe. Single vineyard. 6000 bottles

Toffee apple, hints of rose and berry.

The palate is where I like Tempranillo based roses, this example offering a dry and assured palate threaded with a spine of perpetual acidity. There's a phenolic flourish to add width to that length.

It's moreish, thirst quenching and quite compelling in its proposition. Superb wine. 93

Tasted on: Friday 26th November
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Thursday, 18 November 2021

Angullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2019


I picked the bottle up, recording the price and stated alcohol - standard practice - and upon seeing its 14.5% wondered where it might sit stylistically in comparison to old world examples. But why? Why would I feel the need to compare an example from a region 10,000 odd kilometres away to (what arguably is) the benchmark region?

Orange, as a wine producing region, is defined by an altitude, only vineyards above a certain altitude on Mt Canobolas - an old volcano - are allowed to be declared from the region of "Orange, NSW".

To the wine in question: Blueberry, chocolate, cherry - perhaps even in that order.

There's a freshness and vitality across the palate, feeling youthful and energetic in initial entry. Wickedly medium bodied, belying that stated alcohol that served as an intro to this note, with a plushness.

Fine, meshed tannins. Chocolatey richness with a residual lick of fruit through to the finish. A delight. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd September
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Amigo de la Terra Organic Tempranillo Syrah 2018


Organically farmed Tempranillo and Syrah from the high Plains of Northern Syrah, a vino de Espana. 

Earthy core with black fruit accents that act as a counter to that initial aroma of the land. 

Plum and blackcurrant vibes across the palate. Soft, fleshy and yet with an edge of spice at the finish. Reasonable. 88

Tasted on: Wednesday 19th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com

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Sunday, 20 September 2020

Campos do Viento Tempranillo 2019


Carries the air of earth and baked raspberry - like you'd find in a baked muffin; fruit, yet not sweet. 


Feels lighter across the palate, at least initially, before a darker manifestation sets in. Suggestions of black pepper and clove, a carry of decent length. Pretty rugged, gutsy, not without conviction. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 18th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com

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Tuesday, 18 August 2020

Tim Adams Lidera Tempranillo 2016


Single Vineyard planting of Tempranillo from the original winery site on Wendouree Rd. Spends two years in new and used (1-2y) oak, comparable to Crianza (check?) in old Rioja money.

The presence of the newer portion of oak is unmistakeable, and yet Tempranillo is a variety that seemingly has an inherent ability to lap it up, to take it in its stride. It provides a support, a comfort blanket that ushers the wine into place. 

The wine itself, unto the palate, is a cherry and cola like manifestation that flows long across the palate. Generous in flavour an intent, its supplemented by a tannin that seemingly straddles both fine, yet with a minor coarseness. 

Seemingly it manages to covey youth and freshness, juxtaposed against what might appear savoury and sterner qualities. Really quite impressive. 94 

Tasted on: Wednesday 8th July 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au/

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Tuesday, 11 August 2020

Hastwell and Lightfoot Fat n Skinny Picker's Choice Shiraz Tempranillo Barbera 2017


An unusual blend one must say, and it feels like every part of that mix; dark plummy depths and woodsy spice, with a playful middle providing a counterpoint to the two.

A lighter touch across the palate, a subtle rub of tannin, flowing to a moderate finish. Dark chocolate hints with a slight bitter twist. Playful, enjoyable blend. 90

Tasted on: Friday 5th June
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://fatnskinny.com.au/

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Saturday, 13 June 2020

Angullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2018


Sweet spice atop a blue/black fruit medley.

The palate shows moderate oak hints, cocoa fine tannin structure. Charcuterie like nuances linger. A decent Temp. 90 

Tasted on: Friday 10th April 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Hastwell and Lightfoot Fat ‘n Skinny ‘The Red Fury’ Tempranillo Garnacha 2018


Cherry and Plum vibes here, feels a touch cooler - with an associated freshness - than McLaren Vale fruit often conveys. 

The palate is succulent, fresh, yet with a generous rasp of tannin that adds body and conviction. 

A cracking pairing with food, it's versatile - think beyond pasta (although that's where it worked for me) and pizza - the tannins a match for many proteins. 

Perhaps even consider traversing the Pyrenees - from Spain, where its component varieties originally hail - and think about something like Cassoulet. Particularly in these immediate cooler months. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 27th May 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://hastwellandlightfoot.com.au/

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Friday, 17 April 2020

Rusty Mutt Canejo Joven Tempranillo 2018


Creamy vanilla over blue fruit. Certainly an inviting number, all too often Tempranillo can be a dried out wine, not here where winemaker Scott Heidrich crafted a succulent example.

It's fresh and bright - per the Joven label. That doesn't mean it's a simple and fruit driven number; a fine rub of tannin casts its hand across the palate bringing length.

A sheer delight, not often I say that about Aus Tempranillo. 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 25th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.rustymutt.com.au/

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Saturday, 8 February 2020

Running With Bulls Tempranillo 2018


The Running With Bulls range has been a consistent performer over the years, gravitating around the Tempranillo, but also includes a Garnacha. Back in the day there was also a Vermentino in its ranks, that now seems to have been replaced with a Verdejo! 

In the youthful, Joven, mould its redolent of summer berry fruits, of raspberry, redcurrant and morello cherry. 

Freshness and vitality that carries through to the palate, a succulent swathe of red fruit with a freshness of acidity and crunch of tannin.

Such a versatile style, drink alone or with friends; with a Chorizo, capsicum and red onion pizza; or. Albondigas in tomato sauce. The choice - and pleasure derived - is yours. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 10th January
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.runningwithbulls.com.au/

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Tuesday, 21 January 2020

Anim Field Blend 2019


A wickedly juicy and delicious all-sorts field blend - in the true sense, being a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Muscat; picked on a single day and co-fermented - that comes across as a riot of red fruit, both aromatically and on the palate. 

Something like barely ripe raspberry that has got into a tete a tete with sour cherry and cranberry. It's Pinot-esque in its representation, light lithe and supple. Sappy and stemmy notes, seemingly an afterthought to the bright and juicy fruit. Just a sheer delight to drink. 93 

Tasted on: Wednesday 15th January 
Source: Retail, The Wine Experience
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.animwine.com/

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Tuesday, 14 January 2020

Juniper Small Batch Tempranillo 2018


Inclusion of 5% Shiraz; spends 15m in oak, no new. A darker manifestation of inky blue fruit: blueberries, cassis, smattering of violets.

Feels light on entry, fleet of foot, before powder fine sweeps across the palate. Nigh chalky in feel, it feels as though it morphs in the palate, expanding first and then contracting to a fine length. 

Persistent in nature, latent black fruit intertwined with savoury structure. 91 

Tasted on: Wednesday 27th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/

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Monday, 25 November 2019

Campo Vieja Rioja Gran Riserva 2012


Needs time, air - slightly closed, reductive. The palate possesses what I love about Gran Riserva - so Gran Riserva wines require minimum 3 years aging, with at least one year in oak and six months in bottle - Tempranillo, the remnants of old oak bound up with silken tannins that latterly reveal themselves in that fine grained, silty way.

Fading hints of black fruit on show here, morphing to a palate of reasonable length of savoury flavour. Pretty incredible to be able to appreciate a 7yo on release for $30. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 28th September, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $29.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.campoviejo.com/en-au

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Monday, 4 November 2019

Campo Vieja Rioja Reserva 2014


Reserva classification, meaning it must be aged for a total of three years, with at least one year in oak barrels and at least six months in bottles.

Slightly reductive, meaty; neither of fruit or particularly savoury bent - at least aromatically.

Light of body - certainly in an Aussie context - yields to Blueberry with vanilla accents. Fine grained, almost silty tannins, mouth coating and carrying generosity. Good quality wine, particularly the $20 ask. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 26th September, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: www.campoviejo.com

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Friday, 4 October 2019

Moppity Vineyards Cato La Lucha Tempranillo 2017


A red and black fruit mix that veers between raspberry and cherry. Oak spice remnants, softer - nigh sweeter - aspects of vanilla.

Palate shows succulent fruit on entry, blue fruit with woody spice. Silken threaded tannins long, on both flavour and finesse. With some time the spicier elements come to the fore, brown spiced hints of cinnamon along with freshly cracked pepper. 

Quite possibly the most finest expression of Australian Tempranillo I've had the pleasure of tasting. 94 

Tasted on: Sunday 8th September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au

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Friday, 9 August 2019

La La Land Tempranillo 2017


Primary, raw, kind of game meets (meat) charcuterie over plum and sour cherry. Perhaps not complex, will have a certain appeal. 

Medium bodied, blueberry compote, vanilla hints and backed up with spice: black pepper and clove notes. 88

Tasted on: Thursday 20th June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wingara.com.au

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