A white and a red with a common thread, but from opposite sides of the world… Luis Cañas Rioja Blanco Viñas Viejas 2019, Spain(£11.99 Alliance Wine – use wine-searcher.com for stockists) Yalumba The Y Series Tempranillo 2019, South Australia(£9.49 Majestic)
Tempranillo
Jeroboams Rioja Reserva 2013 (Marques de Reinosa), Spain (£13.95 Jeroboams) 2013 wasn’t the greatest of Rioja vintages, and there’s a slight earthy greenness in the background here. But thankfully, it’s reasonably concealed by classic vanilla/coconutty oak notes, and generous orange peel, red berry and plum flavours. Good, and even better […]
Tempranillo from Rioja & South Australia
…beginning in Portugal Quinta Nova Reserva Terroir Blend 2015, Douro, Portugal (£16.48 Portugal Vineyards) Smells like a port winery at vintage time, the air thick with heady aromas of berries, cassis, violet and herbs, buoyant, spicy dark fruit flavours in abundance and a backbone of citrus freshness and ripe tannin […]
A mixed bag of reds from around the world…
Half Cabernet, with Merlot and Tempranillo making up the balance Paso-Primero Tinto 2016, Somontano, Spain (£8.90 Tanners) No shortage of gutsy berry and damson flesh here, but the flavours veer towards the jammy and there’s a slightly drying edge of underripe tannin. Not so much that it’s unpleasant, but a […]
Paso-Primero Tinto 2016, Somontano, Spain
Esporão Reserva Tinto 2014, Alentejo, Portugal (£19.99-£21.99 Cambridge Wine Merchants, Define Food and Wine, Tanners, Great Grog) It’s still a pup but this gentle giant has a very promising future. Rich, dark damson and berry fruit which veers towards the overripe but just stops in time, leaving bold flavours infused […]
Esporão Reserva Tinto 2014, Alentejo, Portugal
Two wines from the same stable, both lovely but quite different in style… Torre de Oña Rioja Reserva 2012, Spain (£22 Armit) Currently showing some youthful oakiness, but it’s in balance with the gushing red and dark berry, apple and orange peel flavour and hints of spice. Powerful and persistent, […]