6 - 2011 Tempranillo, Arroyo Seco 750ml
2011 Tempranillo, Arroyo Seco 750ml
Tempranillo is the diminutive form of temprano, or “early”, but there is nothing oily or early about this wine, which comes from the ultra cool wind tunnel that is the Ventana Vineyard in the blustery Salinas Valley.
On the nose, mixed berry compote—heavy on the blueberry—and bergamot. Lean in structure and taking its sweet time to ripen in cask, this bottling shows the very classical character of the variety: berries, plum, tobacco, leather, herb and above all, a quality which can only be rendered in Spanish as filete poco codido, (maybe “rare meat” would be a bloody good translation). Balanced acidity, medium tannins.
Vineyard Notes
The Ventana Vineyard is a bit of a rock pile, and this may in fact contribute, if only in our collective imagination, to the slightly austere iodine/mineral aspect of the wine.
Food Pairing Notes
Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks with Green Tomato Chimichurri & Balsamic Radicchio. This wine is a perfect combination with anything cooked a la plancha. Best served with a light chill and a splash decant.