Great wines, also small batch bourbon in stock.
2011 Vina Gormaz Tempranillo (Ribera Del Duero, Spain) … $10.99
As I sit here with my fingers on the key board typing away, the fans are blowing in the house, and the shades are closed to keep the heat out. Yes my friends, summer has arrived with a vengeance. I love the heat myself, and like a lot of you my thoughts gravitate towards a white wine to enjoy while sitting in the back yard soaking in the sun. So why the hell am I picking a Tempranillo from Spain? Well, if memory serves me correctly we still enjoy a hotdog, hamburger or grilled steak on the BBQ in the summer. Am I right? Is there anything better, then a great inexpensive red to wash down said foods? I don’t know about you, but I still enjoy my reds during the summer months. Not only that, this little Spanish red was so good, that I had a hard time passing it up.
Reigning from the Ribera Del Duero region of Spain (North central) this red exhibits aromas rose pedals, cherries and a hint of iron with a little rust on it (I love it when a red shows a little earthiness like this). Black olives, black cherries and currants fill the palate and expand on the mid-palate. Structured, silky tannins back the fruit notes leading into a finish of licorice and subtle chocolate notes with a dash of white pepper that lingers. Cocoa powder notes seem to hang around the longest. Good structure, approachable tannins and delicious fruit notes that are not heavy on the palate, add up to a killer red for any occasion (even when it’s sunny and warm) at a stupid price of eleven bucks. Would be great with hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled steaks or veggies. (B+)
If you still insist on only whites for the summer, watch out for my next article on some perfect whites for the hot (we hope) summer months to come. Cheer! Stan The Wine Man
Vina Gormaz Tempranillo is distributed by Noble Wines (Seattle, WA)
