Tempranillo is unarguably Spain’s most recognisable variety, forming the bedrock of that country’s most famous red wines. It is also a grape that has seen explosive global growth, with more tempranillo planted since 2000 than any other variety, and by a big margin. In Australia, it has made a modest but meaningful mark, but with limited genetic vine material, the potential for the grape is exponentially bigger. Three years after our inaugural Deep Dive into Tempranillo, it’s an apt time to again cast our eyes across the landscape.
Our panel: Katarina Lange, Sommelier, Botanical Hotel; Christina Kaigg-Hoxley, Wine Development Manager, 67 Pall Mall; Andrew Wyse, Sommelier and Importer, Cardwell Cellars; Sacha Imrie, Sommelier, Daughter In Law; Luke Campbell, Director & Head Buyer, Vinified Cellar Management; Nicola Reid, Sommeliers Australia; Andrea Infimo, Head Sommelier and Beverage Manager, Marmelo; Victoria Pun, Consulting Sommelier.
With eight of the finest palates in attendance, we gathered every example we could find in Australia and set our expert panel the tasks of finding the wines that compelled the most. All wines were tasted blind, and each panellist named their top six wines. Below are the top wines from the tasting.
2022 De Iuliis ‘Special Release – LDR Vineyard’ Tempranillo, Hunter Valley $35 RRP
Selected by Pun in her top-six wines from the blind tasting, this youthful and delicate Tempranillo manages to be utterly moreish. Pun described it as offering “an impression of sage, autumn leaves, black tea, dried prune, and sour cranberry,” all seamlessly layered with the wine’s structural elements. She noted how these components work “hand in hand,” creating a harmonious and captivating expression of the variety.
You can read the full article at Young Gun of Wines here.