LKTG Tempranillo

Bandoleone Restaurant Seattle
Tasted Monday, May 23, 2005 - Tuesday, May 24, 2005 by Not Levine with 864 views

Introduction

Tempranillo isn't my favorite varietal, but this was a good educational experience and a fun get together. I ended up not using my spit cup for some unfathomable reason, which my explain why my notes are scant and hard to read. And my headache.

Flight 1 - STARTER (1 Note)

  • NV Avinyó Cava Brut 87 Points

    Spain, Cava

    (5/24/2005)

    Some green apple on the nose. A tad bitter and/or oxidized, but this did not detract from the pleasant match with some spicy mussels.

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Flight 2 - FLIGHT 1 (3 Notes)

  • 2001 Palacios Remondo Rioja Propiedad 89 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

    (5/24/2005)

    The nose was grenache-y - dusty with kirsch, sweet corn, and graham crackers when I went back to it later. Medium bodied with light tannins on the attack and a long, drying finish. It had note of almost but not quite leather on the palate (I wrote suede). The nose was 92 points, the palate around 88, I compromised on the low side with an 89.

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  • 1998 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 91 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    (5/24/2005)

    I picked up roasted vegetables on the nose (in a good way). Plums dominated the lush palate. Tasty and ready to go.

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  • 2001 Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia 91 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

    (5/23/2005)

    Some initial VA blew off after a bit and revealed a big raspberry, dusty nose. This baby was pretty big and tannic after 3 hours of decanting. Upon opening, it was an enamel-stripper. Plenty of stuffing and needs several more years to hit its stride.

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Flight 3 - FLIGHT 2 (3 Notes)

  • 2000 Bodega Numanthia Toro Termanthia 92 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

    (5/24/2005)

    This is the Turley of Tempranillos. The nose is huge and port-like though didn't seem particularly spirity. Huge vanilla, cherry, blackberry in a very internationally-styled wine. I enjoyed going back to this one. I believe that 10 years may be necessary to tame this beast.

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  • 1998 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero 88 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

    (5/24/2005)

    Nice plum/cassis flavors. Some horsey-ness added some interest. I believe this was the point in the tasting that I realized spitting might have been a good idea after all.

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  • 1995 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 89 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    (5/24/2005)

    Briny, soy on the nose. This was clearly the oldest of the wines at the table, and exhibited the trait that makes older Tempranillo not my favorite wine. It's just so darned dry and sawdusty. It seemed like a nice wine which wasn't my style.

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Flight 4 - DESSERT (1 Note)

  • NV Rotllan Torra Moscatel Priorat 85 Points

    Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

    (5/24/2005)

    Orange, a little chocolate, some VA. The texture on the palate reminded me of Sambuca - not the flavor but the way Sambuca evaporates on the tongue before you have a chance to swallow it. I liked that aspect, but this wine is pretty simple.

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Closing

Thank you, Scott, for putting this together. I look forward to next month's White Zinfandel tasting. And thanks to everyone who brought some good stuff to share.

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