I’ve been looking forward to reviewing the Mazzaron 100% Tempranillo (14% ABV) for a long time. My first taste of this gorgeous Spanish red wine occurred while visiting a friend Rob, owner of HolyCrapThatsFunny.com. Both of us enjoy a good wine and, while the rest of our families drank “apple champagne” (the pretend stuff), we cracked open a bottle of Venta Mazzaron Tempranillo to decant.
Since that event, I’ve purchased four bottles of Mazzaron Tempranillo and I’ve not looked back. The rich dark purples resemble the dark colors of a plum while the scents fly far beyond simple fruits. You may first pickup the sweet smell of strawberries but this quickly changes into the smokey scents of beef jerky. You can almost feel the tannins rising from the glass to meet the nose.
The color is mesmerizing and the aroma yearns for you to take a sip to experience its depth. You’re met with a hint of plum, a spicy strawberry with a transition into licorice and smokey beefs. This earthy delight tastes like a meal with a strong resemblance to the dirt it was grown in. There are hints of leather and earth on the finish, simply amazing.
Although many tempranillo’s have some of the same flavor profiles as the 2005 Venta Mazzaron, it was my first love and draws me into it like moth to flame. One sip and I’m hunting the refrigerator for some smoked Gouda and a couple wheat crackers.
This wasn’t my first attempt at a Tempranillo but it has been the best experience so far. You can find this wine imported by Jorge Ordonez, a man who will get a hand shaking if we ever meet as this was a fine selection at an economic price of under $12.00.
I challenge you to find a better wine for the price. No, I challenge you to find a better wine for double the price. If you’ve never had a Tempranillo you’re missing out on one of lifes greatest pleasures.
You may want to checkout Winelibrary.tv’s special guest host Jorge Ordonez with host Gary Vaynerchuk, a great episode. If you’ve never had Spanish wine, you must watch this episode.
2 Comments
Carolyn Nelson
February 26, 2009 at 9:36 pmVenta Mazzaron… from first(!?) sip to last; true love. I thought your notes were so dead on! (with very minor differentations for me -You got strawberry where I got fruit blossoms. You got licorice where I got cinnamon bark.).
I haven’t had a wine that travelled [across the palate] like this in a sad long time. I think I’m going to be on vacation for a while! Wish you were here!
Campo Viejo Rioja 2003 Tempranillo Review | Everyday Drinkers
March 26, 2009 at 7:33 pm[…] dark partially ripe plum (a bit sour) with hints of thick black soils of its homeland. We’ve reviewed Tempranillo’s before with the smokey bacon flavors and continue to find exciting bouquets. A must try for wine […]