Looking for a cheap but good quality wine can be hard work, I don't envy the job of importers searching out their next $15 Tempranillo. Having sat at a table with 30 young Tempranillos in front of me, I know its a hard task. Sure, you find the odd treasure, but it can be difficult to remain objective after tasting something truly horrible or utterly amazing in a blind line up. Its educational and demanding of your senses, not the bit of fun many seem to think it is. Luckily, I can reap the benefits of someone else's hard work here, I've got no idea how Heart and Soil found this one, but they've got a winner.

 

Its 100% tempranillo from the Co-op Bodegas Braña Vieja in Navarra and shows the typical characters that the Basques tend to like in the young wine. No wood, just fresh and fruity, but savoury and earthy. Most importantly, it's all to easy to drink. At $13.50 is dozen lots, its cheap too.

 

Good deep colour with a very cherry nose plus some earth, nutmeg and dark chocolate. Warm and rounded in the mouth with some lush tannins and plenty of rustic appeal. Some sour cherry, plum, light herbs and cola shows up on the palate. The finish is longish with drying tannins. A joyful wine that's an easy mark for mid week or BBQ drinking. 87 Pts.

 

Source: Randalls Price: $15 Closure: Synthetic Cork