2005 Condado De Oriza Crianza Tempranillo 92 points

2005 Condado De Oriza Crianza Tempranillo $13



Beautifully integrated fruit and a great price; With a broad palate of black raspberry, plum, black cherry and leather. Rich with chewy tannins and loaded with creamy dark fruit. Amazing balance at a fabulous price is why I love Spanish wines. The finish roars thru with more dark fruit and light oak.

2006 El Arte de Vivir 90 points

Tempranillo Blend, Ribera del Duero, $14


Layering three vintages to create a ripe, meaty wine; Blackberry, blueberry, anise and vanilla wash the palate with flavor. Structured, with bright tannins and a interesting finish of spice and citrus peel, drink now thru 2012.

2005 Numanthia-Termes 93 points

Tinta de Toro, Toro, $28


Another home run from Numanthia! Usually they only produce 300 cases so get this fabulous red while you can. Velvet on the palate with blackberry, plum, chocolate and light chard smokey oak. Smooth and balanced on a long, lingering finish with notes of leather and spice, drink now thru 2012.

2007 CVNE Cune Rosado 89 points

Rosé Blend, Rioja, $13

This Rosé blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha is stylish and refreshing; aromas of strawberry and spice leeds to orange blossom, nectarine and more strawberry. This bright and crisp summer wine has a clean and refreshing finish, drink now.

2005 Vacceos Tempranillo 89 points

2005 Vacceos Tempranillo (Rueda); $11

This warm weather red is very tasty and a great value with some unusual flavors for red wine. Notes of Bing cherries, nectarine and spice layered over red plum fruit. Medium body with barrel ageing add smokey vanilla and tobacco to a smooth long finish.

2006 Bodegas Luis Gurpegui Muga 87 points

2006 Tempranillo Viño de la Tierra de Extremadura Pintoresco, Spain $9

Very tasty for the price and such an easy drinking, light bodied table wine. Red cherry and plum fruit, with smoke and char accents flood the palate of this juicy red wine. The nose has a heavy earth component, with a light, lean finish.

2001 Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 91 points

Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain $15

2001 is one of the best years for Rioja, i was surprised to find it, but it's available. Bright, vivid dark ruby color, intense nose brings to mind blackberry jam. Two years in french oak shows a wonderful leather, vanilla and tobacco layered over dark fruits. The spicy undertones and smokey vanilla come out on an elegant finish. Drink now thru 2009.

Spanish Vines NV Tempranillo 87 points

Spanish Vines NV Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla); $10

This is a very approachable wine, reminds me of restaurant table wine in Madrid. Very light and easy drinking Tempranillo with jammy cherry aromas and flavors will strike you as pure and fresh. Not very complex, but perfect for a summer red, drink now.

2004 Loriñon Crianza 88 points

Tempranillo, Rioja, $13

Earth, earth and more earth, almost a little musty, but that's what i like about riojas. This wine needs to open up, but when it does the juicier, brighter fruit are brought to the palate along with some tangy, somewhat sharp acids. Raspberry, cherry folds in with a dash of oak that brings vanilla and additional tannin into the picture. Drink now thru 2010.

2004 Finca Luzón Altos de Luzón 92 points

Red Blend, Jumilla, $16

The seriously endowed 2004 Altos de Luzon is a blend of 50% old vine Mourvedre (52 years) and equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, aged 12 months in a combination of French and American oak. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by beautiful aromas of smoky licorice, black currants, cherries, and earth. Offering wonderful ripeness, an alluring texture, sweet tannin, and adequate acidity, it certainly over-delivers for its price. Drink it over the next 2-4 years."

Martin Codax 2005 Ergo Tempranillo 88 points

Martín Códax 2005 Ergo Tempranillo (Rioja); $15

Dill and butter aromas announce aging in American oak, while the berry aromas are solid but common. This is a tightly wound wine with black cherry and olive flavors followed by length on the palate. It’s not edgy, complex or beguiling, but it is full of fruit and has good balance.