Friends, today marks our inaugural Tempranillo Report, highlighting the top Tempranillo wines made in North America. I have long admired the top Tempranillo wines from Spain. Having visited top estates in Ribera del Duero and Rioja, revered world stars like Pingus, Contador and Vina Tondonia have always captured my attention. It is no surprise that Tempranillo is considered to be Spain’s noble grape.
Clearly an underdog grape in North America, today you can find some incredible examples of the varietal — some made in a similar style to those in Spain and others made quite differently. ‘I see Tempranillo a bit differently,’ says eminent vigneron Christophe Baron. ‘Tempranillo is a great alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon when ordering a rich steak. The reason is the balance in the wine.’ Speaking with Christophe I was initially surprised by his comment — but what he said make perfect sense. Considering the level of quality that top Tempranillo can bring, we need to consider Tempranillo more seriously as a varietal.
Baron produced the top Tempranillo wines in North America, with his 2017 Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo’ Tempranillo (WWB, 97) and 2017 No Girls ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Tempranillo (WWB, 96) sitting at the high table with their insanely good stony profiles, Umami and gorgeous terroir and finesse. The other top Tempranillo wine I tasted was from Red Mountain, the gorgeous 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo (WWB, 96) which is a dense, massive, monster of a wine that has vibrant acidity and a downright voluptuous mouthfeel.
Southern Oregon produced some beautiful wines, none more so than the brilliant 2016 Reustle ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Tempranillo (WWB, 92) which is deep, burly and silky smooth once on the palate. As for California Tempranillo, Epoch produced some glorious releases in 2014 and 2015. The talented Jordan Fiorentini weighs in on her wines, noting that her 2014 ‘is an ‘example of the variety in a warmer vintage where tannins are softer.’ The 2014 and 2015 Epoch Tempranillo (both WWB, 93) showed some differences but were equally good, rich and decadent examples of the varietal. I think that Tempranillo has a bright future in North America considering the quality that I was able to taste through these varying regions. Here are my tasting notes from my inaugural 2020 Tempranillo Report.
Oregon
Willamette Valley:
2015 Raptor Ridge ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo- Sourced from the Rogue Valley, this ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo shows good range aromatically from cedar to milk chocolate tones and bright red fruits that all take shape in the glass. The palate is medium to full-bodied delivering bright acidity alongside wild blackberry compote, milk chocolate tar and shades of menthol. This is outstanding Tempranillo that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2016 Vidon ‘Explorer’ Tempranillo- This excellent new Tempranillo bottling shows forward dark cherry with loganberry flavors and damp earth tones with light tannins that line the fruit. The fruit is bright, as is the acidity, as the citrus rind accents and damp earth tones add complexity. Drink 2020-2027- 90
Southern Oregon:
2016 2 Hawk ‘Darow Series’ Tempranillo- The 2016 ‘Darow Series’ shows better richness than their entry level bottling, with toasty oak that melds with the dark fruit and chocolate aromatics. The soft texture entices as the wine yields layers of chocolate spice cake and kirsch flavors with light tannins. Enjoy this over the next several years while the good core of acidity remains. Drink 2020-2025- 89
2017 Abacela ‘Fiesta’ Tempranillo- The ‘Fiesta’ Tempranillo shows forward dark fruit and cocoa powder flavors with a good freshness. Enjoy this excellent bottling over the next several years. Drink 2020-2024- 88
2015 Abacela ‘Reserve’ Tempranillo- The nose is exceedingly good with layers of chocolate woven together with pipe tobacco, leather and damp earth that all combine in the glass. The palate has a polished texture with ripe blackberry cobbler and leather tones that mingles with shades of blood orange and bulls blood. Great to enjoy in its youth this great older wine will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2015 Belle Fiore Tempranillo- Sourced from their 31 acre estate vineyard, the 2015 Belle Fiore Tempranillo shows good acidity with citrus rind accents that meld with the ripe red and dark fruits on the palate. The long finish accentuates this great new, well-balanced Tempranillo bottling that is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2016 Delfino Tempranillo- Forward and generous, the 2016 Delfino Tempranillo opens with slightly sweet red and dark fruits with chocolate fudge tones and a light dusting of salinity. Enjoy in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 89
2017 Foris Tempranillo- This Rogue Valley , medium-bodied Tempranillo shows bright acidity with juicy red and black fruits with citrus rind and earthy undertones on the palate. While not having the fullest mouthfeel, the bright acidity really shines here. Drink 2020-2025- 89
2017 J. Scott Cellars Tempranillo- Rich and layered, the 2016 J. Scott Tempranillo has a beautifully perfumed nose with layers of chocolate and sagebrush that collide with smoky undertones on the nose. The freshness of the wine is awesome, as cocoa powder and smoked meats mingle with minerals and shades of wild blackberry cobbler on the palate. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2015 Kriselle Tempranillo- Inky in the glass, the 2015 Kriselle Tempranillo shows nice scorched earth tones alongside shades of chocolate, blackberry pie and tobacco leaf that all take shape in the glass. The palate is bright, with good acidity and balance. Medium-bodied dark fruit flavors mingle with cocoa powder and earthy undertones on the palate. This is well-made Tempranillo that is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2016 Names Family Vineyards Tempranillo- The 2016 Naumes Family Vineyards Tempranillo shows toasty oak tones that mingle with shades of pipe tobacco and leather, with lighter dark fruits on the nose. The palate is lacking a bit of weight but has good freshness with blackberry and milk chocolate flavors, with lighter damp earth tones. Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2020-2024- 88
2014 Paul O’Brien Tempranillo- The 2014 Paul O’Brien Tempranillo shows medium-bodied red currant and wild blackberry cobbler flavors that mingle with minerals and a light tannic backbone. What this misses in mid-palate weight, it makes up for it with its smooth texture and brightness. Drink 2020-2025- 88
2016 Paul O’Brien ‘Cask 11’ Tempranillo- The ‘Cask 11’ opens with toasty oak that connects with the dark fruits and light milk chocolate tones. The palate has good freshness with medium to full-bodied kirsch, leather and mocha flavors that meld with light tannins that frame the wine. Enjoy this excellent new wine over the next seven plus years. Drink 2020-2027- 90
2016 Reustle ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Tempranillo- The 2016 ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Tempranillo is a simply awesome new wine by Steve Reustle. Layers of tobacco leaf with Arabica coffee bean, blackberry cobbler and lighter blueberry compote tones fill this expressive nose. The palate is polished showing a voluptuous texture and layers of sweet pipe tobacco, leather, mocha and tar with lighter blue fruit tones. Expressive and showing good length, this beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade or more to come. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2017 Reustle ‘Estate Selection’ Tempranillo- The 2017 ‘Estate Selection’ is beautifully textured with smoky and chocolate tones that collide with layers of black fruits and toasty oak on the palate. Showing good freshness and weight, I can imagine this cellaring well for a decade. Drink 2020-2030- 90
2017 Reustle ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ Tempranillo- Sourced from the Prayer Rock Vineyards, the ‘Winemaker’s Reserve’ opens with mocha, tar and scorched earthy aromatic undertones that take shape in the glass. The palate is lightly tannic, delivering layers of smoked brisket, espresso bean, mocha and tar. Seriously good right now, this thing has at least a decade in front of it. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2016 Roxy Ann Winery Tempranillo- Toasty oak wraps around aromas of damp earth and shades of milk chocolate on the nose. The palate is soft, round and generous, showing a lovely sense of mouthfeel. A bit lacking of flavor, tones of milk chocolate and sandalwood, with faint citrus rind accents, become the most dominant. Drink 2020-2024- 89
2017 Ryan Rose Tempranillo- A micro-production winery, the 2017 Ryan Rose Tempranillo is one of the exciting wines of its kind in the Rogue Valley. Showing off its dense core, the Tempranillo has a great degree of richness with layers of blackberry compote, blueberry pie and shades of dark licorice and cocoa powder flavors the all dance in unison. Enticing in its youth, this will cellar well for the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Pioneer Wines ‘Oregon’ Tempranillo- The texture is really good here with generous black fruits and a good amount of acidity to make things work. Fruity and delicious, enjoy this over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2025- 89
2016 Schmidt Family Vineyards ‘Estate’ Tempranillo- Forward and juicy with medium to full-bodied dark fruits and chocolate flavors, this is one to enjoy over the next several years. The length and mouthfeel of this wine really combine brilliantly. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2016 Valley View Tempranillo- This Rogue Valley AVA bottling shows jammy dark fruits with chocolate cake on the nose. The palate has good freshness with medium-bodied blackberry and huckleberry flavors with chocolate and smoky undertones. Drink 2020-2025- 89
Walla Walla Valley AVA:
2017 No Girls ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Tempranillo- Right away you are drawn to the beautiful stony terroir of the 2017 No Girls Tempranillo as Hoisin sauce and Umami tones collide with ripe blackberries, Mandarin orange rind and underbrush tones on this exotic nose. The palate is highly elegant, showing off a silky texture and wonderfully plush mouthfeel. This seamless wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate delivering a huge range of flavors —from green olive tapenade and iron to huckleberry and charcuterie flavors. This finishes long with layers of black fruits, green olive tapenade and dusty minerals. A complete wine, the 2017 No Girls Tempranillo will cellar well over the next decade, picking up earthy, tertiary tones as it ages gracefully. Drink 2020-2030- 96
2017 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo- One of the iconic Tempranillo bottlings in North America, the 2017 ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo is a spectacular effort by superstar vigneron Christophe Baron. Sourced from the ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard’, the Tempranillo takes the lead with layers of Umami, bacon fat, cigar ash and green olive tapenade woven together with shades of blackberry compote and salted meats on this complex bouquet. The gorgeous aromatics bring you back to the glass for more indulgence. Once on the attack, the silky mouthfeel effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. The elegance of this wine is truly profound, as wild blackberry jam and Satsuma orange zest flavors meld with shades of Umami, bacon fat, tar and Yakima cherry on this complex palate. Wait for the exceedingly long finish that adds a brilliant crescendo to top off this masterpiece. Drink 2020-2030- 97
Washington
2017 DAMA Wines Tempranillo- Ripe blackberry with tobacco leaf and leather mark the nose. The palate has plenty of freshness and verve, with a silly mouthfeel. Layers of chocolate and sweet pipe tobacco with minerals and graphite tones all combine marvelously on the palate with the core of dark fruits. I really enjoy the length and elegance of this wine. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo- Sourced from their one block planted in the Force Majeure Vineyard on Red Mountain, the 2017 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo opens with lovely earthy tones that combine with Hoisin sauce, milk chocolate and shades of wild blackberry preserves that all meld together in the glass. The textural elements to the wine are downright scintillating considering the varietal. Showing amazing weight and verve, this moderately tannic wine delivers black currants that mingle with smoked brisket and suggestions of blueberry compotes and milk chocolate flavors. This is truly one of a kind. Beautiful and every bit hedonistic, yet marvelously balanced in its youth, give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying in its nascent phase. Drink 2020-2038- 96
2016 Force Majeure Tempranillo- The truly outstanding 2016 Force Majeure Tempranillo is a one of a kind bottling by Todd Alexander. Needing a one hour decant to fully be expressive, once aroused this slowly unveils mocha, tar and scorched earth aromatics that meld with shades of Black Forest Cake on this expressive bouquet. The palate is silky smooth, with light tannins that line a deep core of dark fruits with smoked meats, leather and blueberry compote undertones. Complex and rich, this decadent, one of a kind bottling will cellar well for decades to come — but is completely irresistible right now following a long decant. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2015 Idilico ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo- This ‘Reserva’ Tempranilo by Idilico is crafted from Ribera del Duero clones winemaker Javier Alfonso helped import and have been planting throughout the Yakima Valley. Truly having a unique background, the vines include a Tinta del Pais selection from Ribera del Duero and a Tinta de Toro from Toro. The nose shows gobs of toasty oak that wraps around blackberry cobbler, mocha and tar that all take shape in the glass. The palate has good balance, with a soft texture. Generous oak rounds layers of roasted figs, milk chocolate and red cherry with sagebrush undertones on the palate. While this might be lacking a bit in mid-palate ripeness, the texture and subtle tones of the wine really shine. Truly unique, this one of a kind wine will cellar well over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2026- 90
2016 Saviah Tempranillo-The 2016 Saviah Tempranillo shows wonderful smoky tones on the nose with ripe dark fruits and a touch of chocolate. The palate mimics the nose with the chocolate tones coming on stronger, as the silky texture beautifully combines with the deep core of smoked meats and dark fruits. Fantastic to savor right now, the 2016 Saviah Tempranillo will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Saviah Tempranillo- The 2017 Saviah Tempranillo is another seriously good bottling by the talented Richard Funk. On the nose this takes on shades of Umami with smoky undertones that combine with the core of blackberry cordial and shades of green olive that all take shape in the glass. The palate has really good freshness and verve, with medium to full-bodied black tea, wild blackberry cobbler, smoked meats and coffee ground undertones. Seriously good right now, the 2017 Saviah Tempranillo will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
California
Paso Robloes:
2014 Epoch Tempranillo- Having only 1% Grenache blended in, the wine is almost entirely sourced from the famed Paderewski Vineyard, the wine was aged for 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (80% new) before bottling. Layers of intense black fruits mingle with shades of tobacco leaf and chocolate on the nose. The palate is intense with dense blackberries that mingle with blueberry liquor and exotic spices. With great viscosity, this dense, monster of a Tempranillo will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2015 Epoch Tempranillo- This massive wine was aged in 80% new French oak for 19 months before bottling. The wine has a really good sense of elegance right now, as a stark contrast to the 2014 Epoch Tempranillo. While obviously dense, the silky texture really impresses as layers of creosote and ripe blackberries collide with suggestions of pipe tobacco and huckleberry on the palate. Rich and mineral-driven, with great length, the 2015 Epoch Tempranillo will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93