Tempranillo, Tinto Fino, Cencibel – whatever you call it, it’s the great grape of Spain, inspiring wine such as Vega Sicilia and Riojas, new wave and old school. Tempranillo is a relatively recent arrival to these shores. Notwithstanding its notional affinity to Australian conditions, it doesn’t seem to have piqued the interest of Australian grapegrowers and winemakers to the same extent as the great Italian varietals Nebbiolo and Sangiovese.
Bendigo’s Pondalowie Vineyards is one producer that has embraced the Tempranillo grape wholeheartedly. It does help somewhat that the man at the helm here, Dominic Morris, is well versed with the grape, having visited and done vintage many times on the Iberian Peninsula (though his work has mostly been in Portugal).
MT (short for minha terra, the Portugues for ‘my place’) is one of three single varietal Tempranillo’s in the Pondalowie range. It doesn’t see any wood, and is therefore a pure expression of the Tempranillo grape. The result is a savoury wine, supple in texture, with fine grape tannins and a gentle ripple of acidity. It is well assembled wine, suited to the food of its country of origin. Gracias Dominic Morris and the team at Pondalowie Vineyards!
2008 MT TEMPRANILLO
Producer: Pondalowie Vineyards
Variety: Tempranillo et al
Vintage: 2008
Region: Bendigo, Victoria
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $24.99
Date tasted: 29 February 2012
Tasting Note:
Bright plum red. Slightly reserved nose of plums, cherries and sarsparilla. The palate is silky in texture, very elegant and savoury, soft plum and briar, gentle spice, earthy notes. Although not overly complex, this savoury, food friendly wine captures the essence of the variety.
Score: 16/20
Bendigo’s Pondalowie Vineyards is one producer that has embraced the Tempranillo grape wholeheartedly. It does help somewhat that the man at the helm here, Dominic Morris, is well versed with the grape, having visited and done vintage many times on the Iberian Peninsula (though his work has mostly been in Portugal).
MT (short for minha terra, the Portugues for ‘my place’) is one of three single varietal Tempranillo’s in the Pondalowie range. It doesn’t see any wood, and is therefore a pure expression of the Tempranillo grape. The result is a savoury wine, supple in texture, with fine grape tannins and a gentle ripple of acidity. It is well assembled wine, suited to the food of its country of origin. Gracias Dominic Morris and the team at Pondalowie Vineyards!
2008 MT TEMPRANILLOProducer: Pondalowie Vineyards
Variety: Tempranillo et al
Vintage: 2008
Region: Bendigo, Victoria
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $24.99
Date tasted: 29 February 2012
Tasting Note:
Bright plum red. Slightly reserved nose of plums, cherries and sarsparilla. The palate is silky in texture, very elegant and savoury, soft plum and briar, gentle spice, earthy notes. Although not overly complex, this savoury, food friendly wine captures the essence of the variety.
Score: 16/20
No comments:
Post a Comment