Tempranillo is one of the most commonly planted red varieties throughout Portugal and Spain, even though it is hardly known in the U.S. (but catching on quickly!). It has many synonyms, the most common of which are Tinta Roriz in northern Portugal (where it is also important in Port), Aragonez in southern Portugal, and Valdepeñas in southern Spain. There are roughly a dozen common synonyms and around 60 total synonyms for this variety throughout the Iberian Peninsula!

Tempranillo is a very food-versatile variety, much like Pinot Noir. You can have a good Tempranillo throughout a meal of many different courses and it will go with almost everything. 2020 was a very balanced and fruit-driven year for this wine. It was harvested very early. The name, “Tempranillo”, comes from the Spanish word “temprano” meaning “early”. It was indeed harvested early and was at the winery before the fires of 2020 started creating smoke taint issues.

It has enough structure to allow for cellaring and pairing with heartier foods, but enough fruit-forward character to be enjoyable now. The wine has great amounts of cranberry, pomegranate, and sour cherry fruit with nuances of smoky-earthy spice. It has the intensity of a mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon but the complexity and food pairing capability of a Pinot Noir.