I was on the way to our hotel in the province of Navarra when, lo and behold, I found myself driving right past a local winery near the town of Puente La Reina. Well, you know that immediately my daily goals shifted and I knew I had to come back to that spot for a tour the winery and a case of their selections; and that is something I highly recommend anytime. There’s nothing like going to a winery and obtaining their finest wine(s) directly. That’s surely one wish I have still to fulfill in California’s Napa Valley, but that I hope to get the chance to do soon.

This time, I went for the Tempranillo variety. I’d have a really hard time telling you what that is equivalent to in English, but this I know: It’s considered the backbone of the Spanish industry and a wonderful variety to add a rich fruity, herbal, and somewhat leathery character to any blend. It is the grape’s tendency to produce a rich wine with relatively low acidity and exceptionally low tannins which, for me, make for great easy drinking young wines. When wines containing the Tempranillo variety are aged, the result is a more earthy and leathery smooth, velvety character.

So, along with a case of their finest wine for aging, I also picked up some Tempranillo single bottles; and today’s libation is just that. Aged in American Oak, the nose of this young wine is delightfully subtle and woody at first, with notes of extra ripe berries. The palate is just as fruity and smooth, with understated elegance and finesse. It’s body holds up very well and manages to retain a roundness that is normally associated with older wines. Try it with a short, lighter bodied Cuban cigar like the my Romeo y Julieta Exhibition No3.