Gold Hill Winery 2018 TerreLab Tempranillo - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2018 TerreLab Tempranillo (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.3%

Production: 50 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Tempranillo will never become a signature grape of the Okanagan Valley, there's just too little of it and the name recognition is low but it does do well in certain areas and can produce some memorable, small-batch releases like this tasty example from Gold Hill. Both juicy and savoury with plenty of ripe cherry and plum notes pairing nicely with sweet tobacco, tomato and spices. Lots of sweet fruit and spice flavours linger on the low-tannin finish making this a nice pairing for anything drenched in sweet'n'spicy, BBQ sauce. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

Gold Hill Winery 2021 TerreLab Tempranillo Rosé - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 TerreLab Tempranillo Rosé (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.4%

Production: 40 cases
Date Tasted: August 8th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A mellow and mineraly blush made from Tempranillo grapes sourced from the winery's Golden Mile Slope home vineyard. Subtle, red fruit notes grace the floral and steel scented nose. The dry palate offers nice, food-friendly acidity and continues the reserved, subtle presentation of light, red fruit and mineral characters. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Tempranillo - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Tempranillo (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Wine club only. Visit winery website here
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: December 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The Spanish variety Tempranillo is the third most planted grape in the world but is not widely grown in BC. In some of the warmer, dryer pockets of the Southern Okanagan it is popping up a little more frequently as wineries experiment with purchased grapes from the few established Tempranillo vineyards or with their own plantings.

The Black Hills example is a medium-everything wine with mannered tannins, acidity and intensity - well balanced, to be sure, and never showy. The nose and palate play host to a sensual ballet of blue fruit and spice aromas and flavours playing off one another, enhancing the experience. Pepper and a touch of charred oak linger in the long finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Familia Bastida 2015 Alceo - 87-88pts

Familia Bastida 2015 Alceo (La Mancha DO) Spain

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $15-18 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 28th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Not your typical "cheap Spanish Tempranillo" with a lovely, feminine nose of ripe berry fruit and complimentary, light, pipe tobacco and anise aromas. The palate is quite Californian on the entry with a front-loaded, sweet, black and red fruit followed by a wave of earthy spice, leather and American oak flavours which balance the sweetness nicely. 

Needs a long decant to come together in the glass. Hold for another 2 years for further balancing between the fruit and the savoury characters. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Rolland Galarreta 2010 Tempranillo - 90+pts

Rolland Galarreta 2010 Tempranillo (Rioja DO) Spain

Availability: Limited.
Cost: $35-45 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: From the cellar: A co-production from uber-Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland and Rioja royalty Javier Galarreta, this is a big, maturing, tannin-drenched wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, offering concentrated, red and dark fruit with layers of scorched earth, leather, vanilla, light bacon grease and a plethora of spices on the nose and palate.

At 7 years of age, this wine is ready to go now, though, I'm inclined to let the remaining bottle age until 2020 to see how further ageing affects the still prominent tannins. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Tempranillo - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Tempranillo (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2016
@stagshollow

Tasting Notes: A rare variety for the Okanagan Valley with only a handful of vineyards planted to Tempranillo. The Stag's Hollow version of the Spanish vine is sourced from multiple sites in Naramata, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls all with different soil types and aspects. Yet, blended (with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot) the separate lots, together, form an expressive wine bursting with warmth and depth, first on the nose where a fragrant mixture of sweet potpourri and fresh flower aromas are joined by a prominent layer of sun-ripened blackberry and spice plum fruit and notes of pipe smoke. Then followed by a dark berry fruit-infused palate with a nice balance of sweet and savoury flavours, smooth tannins and mellow, wild berry acidity. The moderate finish is full of spice and light tobacco notes. Delicious. 

No need to cellar this one away, enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Garcia 2011 'Señorío de los Baldíos' Roble - 88pts

Bodegas Garcia 2011 'Señorío de los Baldíos' Roble (Ribera Del Duero DO) Spain

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 11th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A lovely, juicy, 100% Tempranillo (Tinta del Pais) from the Ribera Del Duero region of Spain that acts as an excellent conduit for the aromas and flavours of the American oak barrels it was aged in for 4 months. The nose offers red fruit supported by layers of spices and in-your-face, sweetened vanilla extract aromas. The rounded palate is medium-bodied and intense, yet, quite playful and approachable, with a similar blend of red fruit and spice and added notes of cola, oak, tobacco and citrus acidity. The finish is long with lingering, cocoa-powdery tannins. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Tempranillo - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Tempranillo (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 305 cases
Date Tasted: October 15th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Be sure to spend ample time appreciating the nose of this fragrant Tempranillo. Search through the layers of baked plum and raspberry fruit, Autumn flowers and pipe tobacco aromas and try to imagine which scents are linked to the three distinct vineyard sites from which the grapes are sourced (Naramata Bench, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls) and which scents owe their fealty to winemaking practices such as 15 months in American oak barrels or 50% whole berry fermentation.

The dry, fruity palate has the texture and weight of a fine, village Beaujolais, with light, smooth tannins, red and blue fruit flavours and a long finish balanced nicely by fresh berry acidity and lingering savoury notes. Enjoy this wine now and over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Bodegas San Pedro Regalado 2010 Embocadero - 88pts

Bodegas San Pedro Regalado 2010 Embocadero (Ribera Del Duero DO) Castilla y León - Spain

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 12th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Classically structured Tempranillo with loads of dark cherry, dried herbs and mineral characters on the warm, earth-infused nose and full-bodied, well-balanced palate that offers an excellent acid-to-fruit-to-tannin ratio, keeping the wine both fresh and fruity with an appropriate level of grilled-meat pairing bite.

Raised in a combination of American and French oak, the palate finishes dry and a tad short, though some nice spicy cassis and vanilla notes linger. Tasting beautifully now and will hold well for another 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Cachet No. 03 - 93+pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Cachet No. 03 (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $49.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 55 cases
Date Tasted: September 13th, 2013

Tasting Notes: First tasted at an April event where a proud proprietor (@SimplyPinot) was happy to explain the wine's unexpected origin due to a fortuitous forklift accident resulting in a blend of 49% Tempranillo, 43% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is pure delight with loads of sweet, smoky fruit aromas and fragrant perfume notes; a truly sexy developing bouquet. The palate is fluid, medium-plus bodied, yet intense and powerful with layers of ripe plum and blackberry fruit mixed with exotic spices and savoury characters. The finish is long and balanced and beckons your continued attention.

This is a memorable, one-off blend, worthy of the Cachet designation, that is ready to go now, yet, should also enjoy a long life in your cellar with further integration and development. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

On a side note: Was awarded a well-deserved 2013 Lieutenant Governor Award earlier this year.

Anciano 2002 Gran Reserva 10yrs - 88pts

Anciano 2002 Gran Reserva 10yrs (Valdepeñas) Spain

Availability: BCLDB Speciality listing
Cost: $14-16
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: Nov 6th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Having been oak aged for 2 years and then spent a further 8 years in bottle prior to release, this Tempranillo offers overt signs of the influence of both practices. All of the 'edges' have been rounded and the texture is smooth and mellowed. Keeping the wine alive and well is the nice vein of acidity that helps keep the prune-y, red fruit and spicy plum aromas and flavours from appearing tired and warn-out. Tobacco, leather and coffee grind notes add complexity and help make this wine a great match for stews and peppercorn encrusted cuts of beef.

Ready to go now, and don't doddle, the end is nigh. Drink 2013-2015
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Anciano 2005 Gran Reserva 7yrs - 87pts

Anciano 2005 Gran Reserva 7yrs (Valdepeñas D.O.) Spain

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $12-13
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: Oct 30th, 2013

Tasting Notes: There's a whole lot to like and pick-out on the nose of this Spanish gem that was aged for 7 years prior to its release. At first sniff, the spice and herb qualities are dominant, though, with a long decant, sweet plum, raspberry seed and scorched earth aromas appeal and round out the nose. The palate offers a nice balance of oak influenced spice and toasted flavours complimenting bright, red fruit characters through to a moderate finish with both lingering savoury tannins and mouth watering acid. Ready to go now. Drink 2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Tempranillo - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Tempranillo (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 98 cases
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2013

Tasting Notes: Another experiment, another success. Once again, Stag's Hollow explores an iconic European variety and makes it their own - and very New World. The fragrant, sweet smoke and stewed plum infused nose announces a unique experience is at hand. The middleweight palate follows with fine, mellow tannins that structure the ample red fruit and smooth, smoky oak flavours effortlessly. The finish is long and balanced nicely by fresh fruit acidity and lingering savoury notes.

Should appeal to the North American palate with a focus on fruit delivered in a drink-now style in contrast to the Spanish reserva Tempranillo which can be aged for 6 years or more. Enjoy this now and over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel 2005 'Resalte' Crianza - 92pts

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel 2005  'Resalte' Crianza (Ribera Del Duero DO) Spain

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $45-50
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 5000 cases
Date Tasted: January 21st, 2013

Tasting Notes: Everything seems to fit just right in this gorgeous 100% Tempranillo wine from Spain's Ribera Del Duero region. The right amount of smoke, the right amount of spice, the right amount of red fruit and just the right amount of spicy oak is balanced effortlessly on the juicy and silky-smooth textured palate and on the seductive, cola-infused nose. Good acidity keeps your mouth refreshed while the mature, yet, grippy fine tannins structure the complex flavour profile to near perfection.

At the grand age of 8 years old this Crianza has peaked but will hold for another year or two if you aren't yet ready to take the plunge, just don't wait too long or you will miss the sweet spot. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Storks' Tower 2007 Tempranillo-Shiraz - 85pts

Storks' Tower 2007 Tempranillo-Shiraz (Castilla y León) Spain

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $12-14
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 30th, 2011

Tasting Notes: A nice combination of earthy, rustic, cured meat, pepper and dark cherry aromas and flavours makes this wine deceptively complex for the price. The palate lacks refinement but round-ish tannins and tart acidity help create an interesting and fairly balanced experience. Moderate-minus finish ends a bit too short, however, if out shopping for a good bargain wine for diner, this one is well worth a try. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Viña Mayor 2004 Reserva - 92pts

Viña Mayor 2004 Reserva (Ribera Del Duero) Spain

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $28.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 30th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Aged for 6 years prior to release, this smoky-textured, powerful and intense Tempranillo from Spain's Ribera Del Duero offers excellent complexity and character for the price. Earthy, spicy and savoury with dark berry, licorice, oak and tar notes galore. Palate remains elegant despite the intensity and the long, balanced finish is sublime. Pair with roasted red meats. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Viñas Centenarias 2006 Sabor Real Tempranillo - 89pts

Viñas Centenarias 2006 Sabor Real Tempranillo (Toro) Spain

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and LCBO stores
Cost: $14-16
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A raw, unfiltered, unbridled and meaty wine from the Toro DO region of Spain. This 100% Tempranillo wine may turn out to be the best valued bargain of the year with a rustic bouquet of dark cherry, minerality, dried fruits and loads of toasted oak and earthy notes.

The dry palate has intense red fruit and hearty oak flavours with good acidity and medium tannins. The texture is thick and substantial, but not overly weighted. A long, balanced finish with lingering oak spice completes the experience. As this wine is already 4 years old, it has some lovely, developed characters already and is ready to enjoy now. Drink 2010-2011.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010