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CHEESE PAIRING:
Queso Fresco
Boursault
Mahon
Cotija
Manchego
Cabrales
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  This varietal is the workhorse of the Spanish wine industry with its' most famous versions coming from the regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The grape is not widely grown anywhere else in the world except for Portugal, where its' called Tinto Roriz and used mostly for port, and Argentina, where it's grown mostly as a bulk blending grape. It's a flavorful, low-tannin, hearty varietal that ripens early which has attracted the Australians and Californians into giving it a look, though neither area has made anything worthwhile yet. Spanish versions usually have another varietal blended in to give the Tempranillo structure and the ability to age.
In Rioja, they still do that for you (reservas and gran reservas have minimum aging requirements), but they are beginning to be swayed to world tastes and release some of their wines with little or no oak-aging (labelled Crianza or Joven). Depending on the producer and the vintage, these wines have the ability to age, though they don't change much once in the bottle. The wines from the Ribera are fuller-bodied and more complex with prices that are soaring due to the upswing in their reputation. For the most part, Spanish wines deliver some of the best Bang for the Buck, even in the $20-$30 range, so get out there and try them before they cost what they're worth.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: The depth and color of a Cab when young (brinck red when aged) with bright, ripe fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and raspberry. The low tannins produce a soft, supple wine and any oak-aging delivers notes of vanilla, tobacco, plums and cocoa. Depending on the region grown can have additional herbal, earthy or floral aromas. Not an overly complex wine, but one that can be quite flavorful.
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 | 2006 Creta Roble, Ribera del Duero, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Minassian-Young Winery Tempranillo, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Palacios Remondo La Vendimia, Rioja, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Telmo Rodriguez Dehasa Gago G, Toro, Spain | RATING: * |
| 2005 Bodegas Arrocal Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Tinto, La Mancha, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Mano a Mano Tempranillo, La Mancha, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Cenit Vino de la Tierra, Zamora, Spain | RATING: *** |
| 2004 Deobriga Selection Familiar, Rioja, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Vina Solorca Zarus Barrica, Ribera del Duero, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Bodegas Aalto, Ribera del Duero, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2001 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja, Spain | RATING: *** |
| 2001 Marques de Caceras Reserva, Rioja, Spain | RATING: *** |
| 2001 Bodegas Valdemar Conde de Valdemar Reserva, Rioja, Spain | RATING: * |
| 1999 Bodegas Navarro-Lopez Old Vines, Valdepenas, Spain | RATING: * |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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