Tempranillo Makes It Right

Wine geeks love to explore new regions or new styles, it's the definition of a wine geek, after all. We actively seek out the unique or esoteric, the rare, aged, and even the expensive in pursuit of an experience.

Paradoxically, sometimes the most humble of wines can be exactly what we need to re-energize our vinous pursuits. These wines forcefully remind us of an angle often forgotten, that of fun. 

Take for example, the picture of a Spanish tempranillo above. I bought it for a tasting, intrigued that the back label said it was un-oaked. Young too, what the Spaniards would call a "tempranillo joven". We pitted this wine against five others, from the United States, Oregon, Washington, and Spain.

Out of all the wines, it tasted the freshest, and friendliest. Plums, cherries, and black peppercorns mingled with sun-dried tomatoes. Acidity made this wine into a light, food-friendly drink. Flavors, clearly defined, of red fruit, dusty earth, and peppery spice. High-toned indeed. Perfect for sipping while you munch on some jamon iberico and patatas bravas, or other pintxos.

Thanks, tempranillo.

Beau Carufel

Montecillo 2007 Crianza Delivers

I love Spanish wines. Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Navarra, Jumilla and Rioja all make sublime bottled art. Tonight, after a long day at work, I didn't want to have to work for my wine. I had no desire to seek out subtle nuances, explore the edges of my perception or any of that crap. I wanted, I needed a delicious bottle of wine to go with a simple but filling meal. Pork sausages on mini baguettes, some deli mustard. A mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette and dried cranberries on top. I kept it simple, stupid.

2007 Montecillo Crianza came to my rescue. Gorgeous red ruby in my glass. Smells like spices, vanilla and dusty earth. Nothing too esoteric, everything satisfying. It requires no effort to discern the quality that Maria Martinez puts into the Montecillo brand. A few sips, to test it of course, brings joy. Sour cherry, smoky wood mixing with some firm tannins and dust. Splendid! What a pairing too, the rich pork, spicy mustard, and powerful wine fit together, complement each other. Holy shit this is wonderful wine and "only" 13.5% alcohol too!

I needed this tonight, I needed this to work. Montecillo's Crianza is suggested at $12, but I bet you can find it cheaper. What a bargain at $12, a steal at $8-10 according to wine-searcher.com. Why haven't you tried this wine yet? A- from me and a STRONG BUY recommendation. Rioja rules across price points. Tempranillo can only get this good in Spain. If you think California can make tempranillo this good, send me a bottle to taste. Check out what my buddy BrainWines has to say about the 2007 Montecillo Crianza.


This was a media sample from Folsom.

Beau Carufel