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Reinares Tinto 2007
Okay, maybe this is cheating a little bit or maybe repetition aids memory, but last week's wine of the week was from Reinares, their 2008 Blanco or white wine. This time, I'm calling out another Reinares wine, the 2007 Tinto, actually the red wine counterpart to the Blanco in style and accessibility.
Reinares is a label of a family owned winery, called Heredad Ugarte, based in the Rioja area of Spain, whose wines have only recently become available in the U.S. This red wine is 100% tempranillo, a grape that's indigenous to Spain and one that's the foundation for the region's famous age worthy Riojas. In fact, 80% of the grapes actually come from Rioja so, while technically it doesn't meet all the requirements to officially be called Rioja on the label, it acts just like a young Rioja meant to be quaffed now rather than aged.
And that's exactly how the wine performs in the glass. Plenty of pungent black cherry, dark berry and vanilla come through on the nose. In the mouth, it's plump and jammy with black raspberry and dark plum flavors and a seasoning of black pepper. From first taste this red wine features an incredible and smooth delivery, with little or no distracting tannins and sustained flavors all the way through to the sweet, ripe finish. If the Reinares Blanco is this season's perfect aperitif white wine on the patio before dinner, then Reinares Tinto is the perfect main course wine for whatever hunk of meat is coming off the grill. Right now I'm thinking hamburgers but the wine is big, juicy and boisterous enough to stand up to low and slow ribs, brisket or burnt ends slathered with sauce.
And again, for the quality, you can't beat the price: $ 7.50 - $ 8.50 a bottle at Gomer's and Berbiglia.
See the previous wine of the week: Reinares Blanco 2008.
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