This label appeared so interesting to me. It seemed rather mysterious. Every time I entered my kitchen I felt like it was calling out to me or daring me to open it and unravel the mysteries within. I was happy for a free night to sit down and pop it open finally.
Living in Texas, I had had my fair share of Tempranillo wines. However, this Tempranillo was also mixed with Prieto Picudo at 70% and 30% respectively. Never having heard of Prieto Picudo, I started my research there.
Prieto Picudo, when bottled solely is considered table wine from the Castilla y León region in Spain. However, finding a 100% bottle of Prieto Picudo is rare, as it is generally used as a blending grape. It is known for it’s deep red coloring, dark fruit flavors, and its ability to age with oak as well as in stainless steel tanks. Aging is generally required for this grape as it brings down the high acidity and softens the tannins. *
This wine was from Castilla y León, Spain and sampled on April 16, 2018. The color was so deep, but still distinctly red. The smell of wet earth wafted from the glass followed by dark fruits that seemed to reflect the color of the wine. I was listening to “Nights With You” by MØ. The first taste was full of pepper! The dark fruit continues in the taste. There was also the taste of what seemed like wet wooden planks. I didn’t expect the spicy dish to go so well, but the heavier body in this wine toned down the spice a bit and it was pretty delicious!
I gave this wine a rating of 3.0. It was a little too peppery for my taste, but it was still good to pair with food. I would not drink it alone.