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750ml
Bottle:
$33.94
$36.00
Savory aromas of subtle earthy berries, oranges, iron and hints of walnut, tobacco and mushrooms. Fine tannins with...
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Alion Ribera Del Duero 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$110.38
2012 has to be one of the best recent vintages of Alión. This 2012 Alión is pure Tempranillo from vineyards...
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Cvne Rioja Gran Reserva Imperial 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$85.79
The current release, the 2012 Imperial Gran Reserva checks in as a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Classic...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$133.44
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$303.09
The 2012 Gran Reserva Especial Castillo Ygay is 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo sourced from La Plana vineyard,...
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Masseto Toscana 2012
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle:
$880.46
#11 Top100 Italian wine of 2015. Fantastic aromas of lavender, rosemary, violets and currants. Full body, a wonderful...
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Numanthia Termanthia 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$198.95
Tarry blackberry and cheesy oak aromas are appropriate for a wine of this size and magnitude. In the mouth, this...
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Petrolo Toscana Galatrona IGT 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$94.38
Very racy and refined with bright acidity and a blueberry and dark-chocolate character. Love the interplay of acidity...
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Podere Poggio Scalette Piantonaia IGT 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$130.60
Produced entirely form Merlot grapes in a Vineyard located on the higher part of the Ruffoli hill in the heart of...
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Remirez De Ganuza Rioja Reserva 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$80.45
Notes of mocha, spice and dark forest fruit berries on the nose. The palate is complex and refreshing with an opulent...
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Tua Rita Redigaffi 2012
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$134.31
Ten years on the Redigaffi shows it's vibrancy with lifted aromas of savoury spice, violet and fennel. The palate is...
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Vega Sicilia Ribera Del Duero Unico 2012
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle:
$371.18
Berry, smoke, violet and sandalwood aromas follow through to a full, layered palate that shows super polished tannins...
Merlot Primitivo Tempranillo 2012 750ml
With its dark blue colored fruits and high juice content, Merlot varietal grapes have long been a favorite of wine producers around the globe, with it being found in vineyards across Europe, the Americas and elsewhere in the New World. One of the distinguishing features of Merlot grapes is the fact that they have a relatively low tannin content and an exceptionally soft and fleshy character, meaning they are capable of producing incredibly rounded and mellow wines. This mellowness is balanced with plenty of flavor, however, and has made Merlot grapes the varietal of choice for softening other, more astringent and tannin-heavy wines, often resulting in truly exceptional produce. Merlot is regarded as one of the key 'Bordeaux' varietals for precisely this reason; when combined with the drier Cabernet Sauvignon, it is capable of blending beautifully to produce some of the finest wines available in the world.
As with many European grape varietals, there is some debate regarding the precise origins of the Primitivo grape. Most people now agree that it probably came from Croatia, where it is still used widely in the production of red wine, and it known as Tribidrag. However, today it is a grape most commonly associated with the powerful red wines of Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, where the intense sunshine and brisk Mediterranean breezes produce grapes of remarkable character and balance. Primitivo is a dark grape, known for producing intense, inky, highly tannic wines, most notably the naturally sweet Dolce Naturale and the heavy and complex Primitivo di Manduria wines. Primitivo tends to be naturally very high in both tannin and alcohol, making it ideal for both barrel and cellar ageing, which brings out its more rounded and interesting features.
Primitivo is not the easiest grape to grow or manage, and it has had something of a difficult century. Indeed, by the 1990s, there was little interest in Puglian wines in general, and winemakers were neglecting their Primitivo vineyards and looking to other, more commercially viable varietals. However, the last decade has seen this grape come well and truly back into fashion, with new techniques and a heightened interest in native Italian grape varietals bringing Primitivo back into the spotlight. It is now widely loved for its intensity and ability to be paired with strongly flavored foods.
There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.