All about Tempranillo

Appearance

  • Color: Typically exhibits a deep ruby to garnet hue, depending on its age and regional variation.
  • Opacity: Generally medium to high opacity, reflecting the grape’s thick skins and the wine’s concentration.

Aroma

  • Primary Aromas: Red and black fruits such as cherry, strawberry, plum, and blackberry.
  • Secondary Aromas: Notes of clove, cinnamon, tobacco, and sometimes herbal elements like dill or thyme, influenced by the fermentation process.
  • Tertiary Aromas: With aging, Tempranillo can develop complex aromas such as leather, cedar, dried fig, and sometimes earthy undertones like mushroom or truffle.

Flavor Profile

  • Fruit Flavors: A mix of red and dark fruits including cherry, strawberry, plum, and sometimes blackcurrant.
  • Other Flavors: Notes of tobacco, leather, and spices such as clove and nutmeg. Some aged versions exhibit flavors of vanilla, coconut, and dill, particularly if aged in American oak barrels.
  • Oak Influence: Tempranillo wines often undergo oak aging, which can range from six months to over two years. The type of oak (American or French) used greatly influences the flavor, adding vanilla, coconut, and sweet spices in American oak or more subtle toasty notes from French oak.

Structure

  • Body:Medium to full-bodied, providing a rich and rounded mouthfeel.
  • Tannins: Medium to high tannins, contributing to a firm structure that allows for good aging potential.
  • Acidity: Medium acidity, which balances the fruit flavors and adds a refreshing finish.
  • Alcohol: Between 13% and 15%

Join the club

Get this varietal often & more delivered to your doorstep when you join our wine club!

Classic Series Wine Club Membership
Classic Series Membership
From $39
From $39
classic wine of the month club subscription box
Vintners Series Membership
From $42
From $42
Limited Series Wine Club Membership
Limited Series Membership
From $52
From $52

Pairings for Tempranillo

Grilled Meats and Barbecue
Grilled Meats and Barbecue

Grilled Meats and Barbecue

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Tomato Based Dishes
Tomato Based Dishes

Tomato-Based Dishes

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Spanish Tapas and Cured Meats
Spanish Tapas and Cured Meats

Spanish Tapas and Cured Meats

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