This is my 100th post, and I wanted to go back to my roots and write about a wine from Spain.   I consumed mostly Spanish wines when I first started drinking wine and still enjoy a nice Spanish vino but being in California it is tough to find a good selection of Spanish wines!   I did find this tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and loved the notes on it.   Can’t resist a good tempranillo  :-)

On the nose… blackberries, coffee, and spicy chocolate.   This wine smells exotic and rich.   The mouthfeel is round and ripe, and the finish is definitely berry-esque with more bite emerging.   The finish has lingering acidity and I think this wine would be great paired with some Spanish tapas (of course!) and pork.   I’m excited to try more tempranillo from Ribera del Duero!

$15/bottle

Triple

I haven’t had Malbec in a while, so I thought this bottle from Mendoza would be a good one to try.   When I first poured it, the deep purple color indicated that this is a young wine, no surprise given the vintage.  I smell blackberries and toast, and on the nose this definitely smells more tart than ripe.   The finish reminded me of the skin on a plum, and the tartness lingers – like drinking cranberry juice.   This does not have big tannins, but I still think this wine is not very approachable on its own and needs cheese or a light snack to pair with.  I am not sure if this is not ripe enough for my taste, or too young.   I’d like to try another 2010 Malbec from Mendoza to see if it is more palatable.    

$15/bottle

Single