Spain’s Yecla region is delivering some mighty fine wines at attractive prices. This is a beauty with a bold nose of raspberry and violets; lightly spiced and a touch of blueberry. It’s rich and complex on the palate with bountiful fruit and subtle spices. Pairs beautifully with Don Heliodoro Romarin Queso sheep’s milk cheese.
From old vines, this is deep plum red with fine particles. The bouquet is of raspberries with a hint of barnyard, spice and cedar. In the mouth the red berries continue, including lively cranberry-like acidity. Medium-bodied with some soft tannins still contributing structure. Will peak in a couple of years.
Full ruby. Spicy nose with black cherry and dark chocolate. Medium body, the powerful middle palate feels slightly warm. There is enough fruit and oak extracts but the finish lets the dry tannins take over. Drink over the next couple of years with red meat.
Medium ruby. Inviting nose of vanilla and red cherry, a hint of spice. Well-balanced, light-to-medium body with a nice fruity core, the smooth tannins bring firmness to the medium-length finish. Quite pleasant on its own or with simple red-meat dishes.
An emerging region in southeastern Spain that’s offering great bang for the buck. A nose of blueberry, cherry, plums and light spice. The mouth shows bright plums and berries with grippy tannins and a kiss of oak spice. The ultimate porch-sipper when unexpected thirsty neighbours show up at the door. Serve with tapas.
The nose displays soft black cherry, plum, mocha and vanilla notes. In the mouth, forward fruits of cherry and anise are balanced with spicy notes of clove and vanilla. A mid-weight wine not overdone in oak. Enjoy with a selection of charcuterie.
The Spanish grape Tempranillo comes from the Spanish temprano meaning ‘early,’ or in this case early ripening, which means that in its natural home, the Rioja region, it produces wines with great depth of strawberry or cherry flavours with soft tannins. The tradition in Rioja is to age Tempranillo in American oak barrels, which gives the wine a note of sandalwood on the nose.