2016 Tempranillo Pedernales Cellars
Texas, the High Country: Texas wineries were a surprise, but how can a wine drinker miss these? The AVA (American Vinicultural Area) is the third-largest area in the U.S with nine million acres growing grapes ;15,000 square miles Northwest of San Antonio & West of Austin producing high quality grapes. Tempranillo, Syrah and Merlot are the prevalent red varietals. This ’16 Texas wine was not only enjoyable, but it came with a Tempranillo surprise. Most Temps are produced with traditional heaviness and tannin. This wine gave far more mellow, complex nuances…. Am not calling this a Tempranillo lite, rather a different approach about a wine’s outcome. The pour dropped in as a brilliant dark red. The nose offered a hint of vanilla & clove. It had good legs and a genuine cork. Tastings kept uncovering more aromas and nuances: red cherry (…are you supposed to find cherry in the traditional Temp?), some clove and chocolate. Later, some spice surfaced. Here is a very enjoyable red wine.
