Top Picks for Tempranillo

Dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of dried berries and prickly pears with caramel, leather bound book, cornichon, and cactus blossoms with a bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a complex, long finish displaying notes of black raspberry with cocoa, slate, and roasted beets and parsnips with light oak flavor. A complex and seductive Rioja that reveals the depth of its charm after patient aeration.

Garnet black color. Herbal, fruity aromas and flavors of eucalyptus honey, cranberry chutney, sarsaparilla, and vanilla almond bark with a supple, tangy, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long finish that shows touches of pomegranate-blueberry sauce, cola float, and herb and spiced nuts. Robust herbs and spices delight in this exotic Australian expression of the famous Spanish grape.

Awards: '2019 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 Red Wine $20 and Under' Best Value Australian Wine Exceptional Value

Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of blistered tomatoes, olives, saffron, and beets with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a medium-length finish with medium tannins and light oak flavor. An earthy Ribera del Duero with an assertive, complex character.

Dusty dark garnet color. Inviting aromas and flavors of ripe morello cherries, black olive, leather, espresso, and toasted almonds with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, complex, medium-long finish displaying suggestions of dark chocolate, hints of charcoal, black tea, and oregano with well-integrated, silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A lovely domestic expression of Tempranillo with great varietal character; complex and balanced this wine will be an interesting conversation starter at the table.

Deep purple color. Aromas of ripe plum, wild strawberry, vanilla-scented tobacco, pine, and roasted coconut with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, subtle, long castelvetrano olives, raspberry jam, salted nuts, and chocolate wafer finish with heavy oak flavor. A concentrated and flashy Napa Tempranillo with generous oak.

Garnet color. Earthy, mature aromas and flavors of dried figs and dates, balsamic reduction, rose hip jam, castelvetrano olives, and wet leaves with a round, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a complex, very long finish displaying notes of smoked almonds, candied orange peel, and carob. A mature, layered Tempranillo that drinks wonderfully now and will continue to blossom with time.

Deep purple color. Aromas of ripe plum, wild strawberry, vanilla-scented tobacco, pine, and roasted coconut with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, subtle, long castelvetrano olives, raspberry jam, salted nuts, and chocolate wafer finish with heavy oak flavor. A concentrated and flashy Napa Tempranillo with generous oak.

Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of pistachio nougat, blackberry meringue pie, leather, and orange blossom honeycomb with an bright, fruity medium body and an amusing, medium-long finish that shows notes of cedar and spiced roasted nuts with chewy, earthy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A toothsome and varietally correct tempranillo that is drinking well now and will improve with time.

Black violet color. Aromas of ripe plum, cola, and black pepper with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a peppery, refreshing, medium-long berry jam-filled dark chocolate, hints of leather, and dried leaves finish with chewy tannins and light oak flavor. A bold, chewy, peppery Tempranillo for beefy entrees.

Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of raspberry, coconut, raspberry leaf, spray roses, milk chocolate, and baking spices with a satiny, vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and a graceful, engaging, medium-length finish with accents of cola, tobacco and leather with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A terrific food-wine that will be a lovely complement to the meal.