Top Picks for Tempranillo

Black garnet color. Aromas and flavors of cooked black plum, brandied cherry, and coffee grounds and cocoa nibs with a velvety, lively, dry medium-full body and a tingling, epic, long finish with notes of red and black fruits, savory herbs and dried chives, jamon, and roasted hazelnuts with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. An incredibly well-balanced and integrated interplay of fruit and oak shines through in this delicious Tempranillo.

Black ruby color. Aromas of peppered plum and cocoa nibs, savory and sweet with lavender, and violet and dried cherry with a full body and a long mole sauce, chimichurri, stewed dark red berries, and leather and cedar finish. Savory aromas develop into a fruit forward and full-bodied red wine to pair with gamier meat courses.

Indigo color. Aromas of french oak, chocolate on chocolate, watermelon jolly rancher, tobacco leaves, and bitter orange peel with a full body and a long cherry jam, red currant, toasted coconut, and dark red fruit finish. A smooth wine with big fruit, structure, and oak likely to improve with years of bottle conditioning.

Violet color. Aromas of cherry jam, duck fat in plum sauce, and black currant and prunes with a full body and a long cherry jam, figs, blackberry compote, and leather and sea spray finish. Vibrant and fruity with the body and heft that it demands to be in your glass while grilling some steaks.

Black ruby color. Aromas and flavors of fig and red cherry preserves, chocolate covered graham cracker, garden herb, and cherry fruit leather with a velvety, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, appealing, medium-long finish with notes of dry cigar box, boysenberry, raspberry sauce, and currant with black peppercorn with dusty tannins and light oak flavor. A cellar worthy red wine that will continue to develop well into the next decade.

Deep purple color. Aromas of stewed cherries and blackberries, dried dates, fudge, boysenberry pie, and nutmeg with a full body and a long sour cherry, black fruits and herbs, sage, and rosemary finish. A rich, bold wine that will hold up to a roast or has enough decadent fruit to pair with a savory dessert course.

Ruby black color. Aromas of cocoa nibs, baked berries and peppers, and aged gouda and cheddar with a full body and a long butter roasted nuts, delicate spice, pear skin, and tobacco finish. A rich and chewy Napa Tempranillo with brooding, savory fruit and lavish oak.

Dark burnt sienna color. Aromas of leather, cafe au lait, toffee, flamed orange, and tobacco with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long malted milk balls, nutmeg, cinnamon, and membrillo finish with well-integrated tannins. A divine Ribera del Duero with great balance and beautifully developed flavors; buy more than one bottle.

Dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, watermelon candies, cherry tobacco, and licorice with a lightly tannic, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, appealing, medium-long finish that shows notes of black plum, mace, sun dried tomato, and cocoa with firm, well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. An expressive Tempranillo balancing ripe fruit and fine tannic grip.

Indigo color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate covered pomegranate moving to coco puffs cereal, new shoe leather, thai basil, and menthol with a velvety, crisp, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, medium-long finish with accents of black cherry and blackberry, fresh oregano, candied walnut, and vanilla glaze with light oak flavor. A big red for the warmer months to sip on the patio while leisurely eating a steak sandwich.