100% Tempranillo from Haro, Rioja Alta, Rioja, Spain.
SRP of $15 and available for as low as $8 but more commonly around $10. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"A wine with just one guideline: to be Rioja.
Its character: the fruit and the expression of Tempranillo. Intense, authentic, fresh and delicious.
14.0% Alcohol"
Today's wine comes from Bodegas Bilbainas, the largest vineyard owner in the Rioja Alta subregion. (Rioja is split into 3 subregions: Rioja Alavesa in the north, Rioja Alta to the west and Rioja Baja to the east.) In fact Bodegas Bilbainas, which was founded in 1859, is the 4th largest bodega in all of Rioja and is well respected in and out of the region. Unlike many other wineries they only produce single vineyard wines. As such many of their wines, like today's, take their names from the vineyards where the grapes are grown -- Vina Zaco is one of winery's oldest.
The 2010 Vina Zaco Tempranillo begins with loads of perfumed floral notes like violets and lilacs plus licorice, black cherry, a little vanilla and a hint of cinnamon. It's a very enticing aroma. The medium to full-bodied wine tastes really delicious with lots of rich fruit, lots of spice and soft tannins. It ends dry with very good length and features more spice and hints of vanilla under the lingering fruit. Fantastic, especially for $10 or less!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 8.3
