TEMPRANILLO FROM SPAIN
Less than $100
Altozano 2003, $85
I've seldom met a tempranillo I didn't like. These gentle, soft wines dominate the wine map of Spain and flourish especially well in the arid plateau on the Iberian Peninsula. This affordable example from the La Mancha region is dark purple and has intense flavours of blackcurrants and plums. The melodious name means, simply, 'early': the tempranillo fruit ripens much sooner than other red grapes. Until recently, tempranillo was seldom found outside Spain. Now the grape is thriving in small plantings from Chile to Australia to South Africa - I can't wait for these areas to start significant production. This full-bodied wine is great with roast meat.
Links Concept (tel: 2802 2818)
Less than $150
Raimat 2001, $122