No wine snobs here, just enthusiastic drinkers of all wines
Another grape and region with a reputation for strong and sometimes rough red wines. Made this time from Tinta de Toro, a version of the Tempranillo grape. However the climate in the atoro region produces grapes very high in tannins, acidity and alcohol so once again the quality of the wine is down to the … Continue reading Triton
This is one of 4 wines I tried at a wine tasting at Madrid & Darracott back in January. Yes I know that was ages ago, but we went into the 4th COVID wave after that and I lost the will to bother for a bit. Now I’m playing catch up. From the D.O. Toro … Continue reading Rodriguez & Sanzo Tinto Whiskey Barrel
El Gusto is a restaurant in La Cala de Mijas who have their own house wine. Obviously not made by them just labelled for their restaurant, but a nice touch none the less. Trouble is I have no idea which bodega made it or where it is from in Spain. It is a Tempranillo joven … Continue reading El Gusto Tinto
Currently spending a few days in Teruel and thought I’d try the local wines. This one from Rubielos de Mora is an artesan wine made from Garnacha and Tempranillo, the a Spanish classics. It has the purple colour I expect of Spanish reds and a medium scent which is a bit astringent on the nose … Continue reading Rubus 2019
Based at the edge of the Llabera National Park this Tarragona region is not be as well known as it's neighbour Montsant which means you can pick up some great reds that rival Momtsant but cost a lot less. Blended from four of the greatest red wine grape varieties (Garnacha, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo) this … Continue reading Más Picosa 2018
The third wine at the Madrid & Darracott story telling tasting. A red wine blend from the Navarra region Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Tempranillo and Graciano. The winemaker wanted to make a true Cabernet Sauvignon in the style of Bordeaux. This wine has spent some time in French Oak. Couldn't tell the colour … Continue reading Amburza 2015
The Fourth and final wine at the Madrid & Darracott 'Spanish Red Wine Blends' tasting A Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Ribera del Duero that has spent 16 months ageing in French oak. It has a super fruity scent of medium intensity with a subtle sulphur scent like a bonfire in the background. Dry, … Continue reading Bardos Reserva 2016
The third wine at the Madrid & Darracott 'Spanish Red Wine Blends' tasting and one I should have paid more attention to as it is from my local area of Madrid. The Bodega is based in Nuevo Baztán (a place well worth a visit) and they basically do one white, one rose and one red … Continue reading Cuarto Lote Roble
Of the four wines in the Madrid & Darracott Spanish Red Wine Blends Tasting, all of them contained the Tempranillo grape. This is hardly surprising as it is a stalwart of Spanish red wines. About 20% of the surface area of vineyards planted in Spain contain Tempranillo and it has many names here. So it … Continue reading Tempranillo Grape Variety
The second wine of the Madrid & Darracott Spanish Red Wine Blends tasting comes from the same Bodega as the first but this time from the Rioja region. It is a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano and had spent 12 months ageing in oak It looks and tastes like a classic Rioja: Black … Continue reading Lacrimus Crianza 2016
The Honest Wine Drinker 