WTN: Rioja. Does tempranillo have a signature taste?

I'm saving the 73 Monte Real for Sunday

I'm saving the 73 Monte Real for Sunday

I just went to wine searcher.com Joe. Seems there is some in NY at a couple of places. Only 4 listings however which is a surprise to me.

i have talked about this subject many times, and i have always had similar views as joe perry's. i drink alot of spanish wines, but i have never stuck my nose in one and said "ah, tempranillo".

how i get there in a blind tasting is first recognizing it as an old world wine because of the tannin and acid levels.... what gets me to spain is the extraction, alcohol, concentration, and usually agressive new oak treatment (many times american)... once in spain, you can now use all the basic components and flavor profiles to narrow down the region.

and in case someone hasnt tried them, the riedel tempranillo glasses make the biggest difference in drinking wine out of any of the varietal glasses on the market imo... in a glass vs glass tasting, the tempranillo glass will not only give the wine better aromatics, but the mouthfeel is richer, and the finish is longer, more complex, bigger, and much more balanced

Joe you make an excellent point about the glasswear and I am thinking I am missing out not having a riedel!!!

I'm saving the 73 Monte Real for Sunday

I seem to remember early vintages in splits, available from Moreno Wines in London, UK. The `85 for sure!

Thanks for the heads up on the Riedels Joe. Someone else here has suggested the Syrah glasswear works quite well too (for many reds apparently).

I'm saving the 73 Monte Real for Sunday

I just went to wine searcher.com Joe. Seems there is some in NY at a couple of places. Only 4 listings however which is a surprise to me.

Bob, the bottles currently being sold are all recent library releases, which (I assume) is the reason for the limited distribution. Additionally, the reasonably low price for these excellent aged wines make them a steal.

Best,
Joe

So, are you finding these in your local area Joe?

Nah, I pick them up every six months or so when I head in to New York.

Best,
Joe