2009 Bodega Hinojoso Mendoza, Argentina Tempranillo

About This Wine

Most of the world’s Tempranillo wine comes from Spain and Portugal.

But much like France’s Malbec, it has found a welcoming additional home in Argentina. And also like Malbec, it has been allowed by Argentine vintners to attain “star status,” rather than assuming a “co-starring” role. (In Spain, Tempranillo often is blended with various combinations of Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. In Portugal, it’s used, with a number of other varieties, in making Port.)

One of the earliest proponents of crafting a varietal Tempranillo in Argentina was Silvestre Hinojosa, who planted his first vineyard high in the Valle de Uco in 1962. Bodega Hinojosa continues to craft a tasty Tempranillo to this day, and the 2009 vintage represents another in a long line of high-quality renditions.

This is a “big” wine — nothing subtle about it. From its rich berry and cherry flavors to its chocolate-tinged toasty oak finish, it’s a wine well deserving of its “star” status.

About Tempranillo

Its aromas and flavors often combine elements of berryish fruit, herbaceousness, and an earthy-leathery minerality. Rarely bottled as a stand-alone varietal, but frequently used as the base variety in blends.

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:100% Tempranillo
• Grape Source:Mendoza Growing Region of Argentina
• Aromas & Flavors:Blackberry, Black Cherry, Chocolate and Toasty Oak
• Aging Vessels:Assorted Oak Barrels
• When to Drink:Now Through 2014
• Food Pairing Suggestionpaella with pork and chicken.

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