Don Aurelio ‘Tierracalar’ Tempranillo 2006

Easy drinking, affordable wines are one of the main reasons exports of Spanish wine to places like the UK, Germany and US have been booming over the past 10 years. To be honest, we haven’t seen a lot of the sub $20, but good Spanish gear here in Australia but that is starting to change. Many importers are looking for quality, low cost wines and this is a good example of how to get it right.

Nose of cherry liqueur, coco, a little raisin and day leaf. Rich and textured, with enough acid to keep everything moving along nicely. In the mouth it’s fairly straight forward, musky dark cherry and plum fruit with good balance and a long, spicy finish. Plenty to like here, especially the price. 87 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $18 Closure: Conventional Cork

Telmo Rodriguez Pegaso Garnacha 2004

The 2003 edition of this wine was a cracker, no doubts about it. The milder 2004 vintage hasn't been as generious, but Telmo has managed to produce a quailty wine none the less. The nose is great, almost a direct copy of the 03, but there are some serious tannins here.  A bit lower in alcohol as well, 15% for the 2004.

Aromas of violets and finely integrated oak, raspberry and a touch of mulberry and mocha. Loads of finely grained tannins, started off a bit green to, this moved off with more air and was much better on the second night. Raspberry, pepper, anise, red been paste, with more air it develops a meaty quality.  A long, but drying, finish shows some minerals. This needs 3 years in the cellar to come around and soften those monster tannins. 90 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $65 Closure: Conventional Cork

Other Vintages: 2003

Granrojo Garnacha 2006

Smooth packaging, highly glugable and enjoyable contents at a low price.  Is there much else you could ask for?  I didn't think so.  I could tell you more, but really you just need to know those three points.

Rocks, plums, earth and tar to start with, then a bit of pepper followed by raspberry leaf.  A sarsaparilla note appears with some more time.  Medium bodied and easy to drink, light tannins.  Raspberry, dark cherry with some ink and roast meet.  Not something to think about really, but something nice to drink out in the sun.  87 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $19 Closure: Conventional Cork

Dominio de Eguren Codice Tempranillo 2004

The Eguren wines have been fairly controversial, some love them for their intensely concentrated, mouthcoating fruit and full oak treatment.  If you hate them, those are the things that put you off.  As usual, I'm a bit of a fence sitter and treat each wine on it's own merits.  The top wines from these guys are outstanding, but I have been heard to say: hmmm…seems to be built for the American market.

Anyway, this wine is made from Tempranillo out in the wilds of Castilla.  Wilds might be a bit much, but its fairly close to the Eguren family home.  It gets 6 months in a mix of French and American oak, new by the looks of things. 

The nose opened up a bit odd, some unexpected smoky bacon and paprika to start and then builds with some brambly red fruits, liquorice and a big lick of vanilla.  Smooth and balanced in the mouth, with some tangy cherry, plum and blackberry with some liquorice on the palate.  Not my style, but I'm sure some will like it.  85 Pts.

Source: Toro/Woods wines Price: Around $19 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.eguren.com