1- 1999 Lopez de Heredia Bosconia $28 Grapes: Tempranillo Garnacho, Mazuelo and Graciano Rioja, Spain (wasnt showing particularly well, however, I was happy with is lots of folk identified spice and dill.) 4-2005 Catherine & Pierre Breton Nuits dIvresse $24 Grapes: Cabernet Franc Bourgeuil, Loire (love this, was overheard. Robert M. MORE >>

After tasting the OLIVIER RIVERE Rioja barrel samples for two years in France I got to taste it in bottle right on Lafayette Street. mix of tempranillo and garanacha, it is berry, bramble, blueberry, with a bit of compelling dirt and twig and grit. But right now Im an an Alsatian Pinot Gris roll. FINALLY! Great little wine. And now.we MORE >>

From La Mancha region of Spain, Tempranillo is a beautiful grape with definite style, and this one displays deep purple/ruby tones and aromas of dark berries, spices and a hint of powdered sugar. This bottle was brought to the table by my friend Brendan and was tasted along with Costieres de Nimes from France MORE >>

Of the six wines, the 2008 Veleta Vijirieja stood out as a zippy summer sipper and the 2006 Veleta Noladas, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and tempranillo had some interesting complexity; both were good values at under $15. What does a 62 point wine taste like? Man, that had to suck. accepted. Was it inferior? MORE >>

Also of note, as long as we are discussing Carignan, is that it is the most widely planted grape in France today ( according to winepros.org - bet you didn't know that - I sure didn't). Of distinction among the reds was the "Marques de Tosos Reserva 2004 (Cainena) made with 40% each grenache & tempranillo & 20% cabernet. MORE >>