Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Tempranillo in Calistoga? Who'da thunk it? The 2011 Coquerel Wines Tempranillo is like a taste of old school Napa Valley before it became the Cabernet Sauvignon darling of the world. If I were to pair this with a song, it would be "Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, because that's what you'll get: a floral, funky nose with earthy, spicy, wild cherry and brambly raspberry on the palate. Its playful acid makes it delightfully easy to drink. Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die. $42 directly from the winery. (sample)
Tempranillo in Calistoga? Who'da thunk it? The 2011 Coquerel Wines Tempranillo is like a taste of old school Napa Valley before it became the Cabernet Sauvignon darling of the world. If I were to pair this with a song, it would be "Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, because that's what you'll get: a floral, funky nose with earthy, spicy, wild cherry and brambly raspberry on the palate. Its playful acid makes it delightfully easy to drink. Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die. $42 directly from the winery. (sample)
Feb 12th, 2016
For a wine with such a highly concentrated hue, it has a rather faint set of aromas. Blackberry comes forward, timidly. Nice to get a whiff of smoke at the top of the glass. The black fruit is large on the palate and a strong sense of earth, minerals, is present. It's a savory quaff, with oak spice on that minerality. It’s a good wine, very good, but at twice the price of an excellent Rioja it can hardly be considered a deal.
For a wine with such a highly concentrated hue, it has a rather faint set of aromas. Blackberry comes forward, timidly. Nice to get a whiff of smoke at the top of the glass. The black fruit is large on the palate and a strong sense of earth, minerals, is present. It's a savory quaff, with oak spice on that minerality. It’s a good wine, very good, but at twice the price of an excellent Rioja it can hardly be considered a deal.
Jan 17th, 2016
Give this one at least 45 min of air and you will be rewarded with bright raspberry, toast, and Napa Valley (Calistoga) dust. The terroir really comes through here, because, to me, this tastes very little like a Tempranillo from Spain. Very good, though, much like a Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with Tempranillo varietal character. Well-balanced, the tannins are grippy, but rounded and agreeable, the 14.8% abv is fun but not hot, and the acidity is perfect. Big fruit, long finish, what's not to like?
Give this one at least 45 min of air and you will be rewarded with bright raspberry, toast, and Napa Valley (Calistoga) dust. The terroir really comes through here, because, to me, this tastes very little like a Tempranillo from Spain. Very good, though, much like a Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with Tempranillo varietal character. Well-balanced, the tannins are grippy, but rounded and agreeable, the 14.8% abv is fun but not hot, and the acidity is perfect. Big fruit, long finish, what's not to like?
Jun 13th, 2016
