Tempranillo
Tempranillo reigns supreme in Spain. It produces full-bodied and ageworthy wines throughout the country, most notably in Rioja. The grape originates in northern Spain’s Rioja and Navarra region, dating at least to the 1500s. Centuries later, this grape continues to play an important role in the famous wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, and is cultivated in the country’s south as well. As of 2015, Tempranillo was the third most planted wine grape in the world, with almost 90% of its plantings in Spain.
Tempranillo appears nearly black in the vineyard. This thick-skinned grape yields richly colored wines that fade to rust-hued with age. Although it expresses the best when grown at high altitude, it is a grape that can tolerate a fair amount of heat. Notoriously susceptible to pest and disease, Tempranillo can be a challenging grape to cultivate. It prefers soils rich in chalk with good drainage and can be easily affected by vacillations in climate and weather. The grape’s tendency to ripen earlier than others led to its name, which is a diminutive of temprano, the Spanish word for early.
The ruby-colored wines are, at their best, full of bright red and blue fruit, like plum, raspberry and tart cherry. Wines made with Tempranillo also take on secondary characteristics. Notes of tobacco, herbs and leather are also common. This grape has the potential to age for a long time and it is often blended with other grapes like Garnacha (Grenache).
Tempranillo in Spain
The regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro in Northern Spain are most associated with Tempranillo. The grape accounts for 88% of red grapes in Rioja. While varietal wines can be produced, it is often blended with small amounts of Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Wines from Rioja can be light and easy, lush and deep or elegant and ageworthy.
Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and Toro are more powerful and concentrated in nature when compared to most Rioja. Locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinta de Toro, these wines are made entirely from Tempranillo and can be dark in hue and tannic in nature.
Global Production
In addition to Spain, Tempranillo has had success in Portugal, in the Douro region, where it is referred to as Tinta Roriz. It is also referred to as Aragonês and has spread throughout the Dão, Tejo and Lisboa regions.
The grape has been grown in California’s Central Valley for some time now, having arrived there with the name Valdepeñas. In California, the grape was somewhat ill-suited to the climate, and the majority was often used in blends before an uptick in more serious expressions starting in the 1980s.
The hot, arid climates of Texas’ High Plains and Hill Country regions have been compared, to parts of Spain. As a result, the grape has found success in the state and is now considered one of its most important. Tempranillo has been grown in Washington’s Yakima Valley since 1993, and has had moderate success there. It is also grown in Oregon, Australia, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.
Synonyms: Albillo Negro, Aldepenas, Aragon, Aragones, Aragonez, Aragonez 51, Aragonez da Ferra, Aragonez de Elvas, Arganda, Arinto Tinto, Cencibel, Cencibera, Chinchillana, Chinchillano, Chinchilyano, Cupani, De Por Aca, Escobera, Garnacho Fono, Grenache de Logrono, Jacibera, Jacibiera, Jacivera, Negra de Mesa, Negretto, Ojo de Liebre, Olho de Lebre, Pinuela, Sensibel, Tempranilla, Tempranillo de la Rioja, Tempranillo de Perralta, Tempranillo de Rioja, Tempranillo de Rioza, Tempranillo Rioja, Tinta Aragones, Tinta Corriente, Tinta de Madrid, Tinta de Santiago, Tinta de Toro, Tinta do Inacio, Tinta do Pais, Tinta Fina, Tinta Madrid, Tinta Monteira, Tinta Monteiro, Tinta Roris, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Santiago, Tinto Aragon, Tinto Aragones, Tinto Aragonez, Tinto de la Ribera, Tinto de Madrid, Tinto de Rioja, Tinto de Toro, Tinto del Pais, Tinto del Toro, Tinto Fino, Tinto Fino de Madrid, Tinto Madrid, Tinto Pais, Tinto Ribiera, Tinto Riojano, Ull de Liebre, Ull de Llebre, Valdepenas, Valdepeñas, Verdiell, Vid de Aranda
-
-
Bodegas Tobía 2018 White (Rioja)
Northern SpainA fully oaked but elegant nose with notes of vanilla, lemon curd ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$50 -
Contino 2016 Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainFully ripe blackberry, cassis and prune aromas are a touch brandied and ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$46 -
-
Sierra Cantabria 2015 Única Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainMeaty berry aromas come with notes of herbs, wild flower and oaky ...See Full Review$30 -
Bodegas Franco-Españolas 2011 Royal Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainSmoky and subtle up front and then finely built throughout, that's how ...See Full Review$72 -
Eguren Ugarte 2014 Cédula Real Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainSmooth oak and floral aromas back red-berry fruit scents on a convincing ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$30 -
Gali 2016 Tempranillo (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastStrongly mineral aromas of wet rocks, lanolin and bloody meats converge with ...See Full Review$40 -
CVNE 2014 Viña Real Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainGritty olive and rubbery black-fruit aromas give this gran reserva an earthy, ...See Full Review$62 -
Eguren Ugarte 2015 Martin Cendoya Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainRipe blackberry aromas are lightly charred and lemony. On the palate, this ...See Full Review$30 -
Bodega 202 2015 Aistear (Rioja)
Northern SpainBlackberry aromas are accompanied by mild herbal notes and hints of baking ...See Full Review$31 -
Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia SA 2014 Macán (Rioja)
Northern SpainA dense nose with cool, earthy berry aromas feeds into a concentrated ...See Full Review$96 -
Bodegas Tobía 2016 Oscar Tobía Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainInky berry and plum aromas are ripe and concentrated, while this feels ...See Full Review$35 -
Bodegas Luis Gurpegui Muga 2014 Primi Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainAromas of spice cake, prune and plum are backed by a palate ...See Full Review$32 -
Verdad 2017 Sawyer-Lindquist Vineyard Tempranillo (Edna Valley)
Central CoastA balanced nose of black cherries, rosebuds and light mahogany show on ...See Full Review$30 -
Bodegas Ondarre 2016 Ursa Maior Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainSpicy, lightly herbal aromas of tomato leaf, tobacco and olive hint at ...See Full Review$20 -
Marqués de Cáceres 2015 Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainCassis and raisin aromas announce a fully ripe, warm-year reserva with enough ...See Full Review$31 -
Bolero Cellars 2017 Bella Collina Vineyard Reserve Tempranillo (Paso Robles)
Central CoastBaked cherry and caramelized berry flavors meet with leather, iron, caramel and ...See Full Review$65 -
Eguren Ugarte 2014 Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainPlum and raspberry aromas come with back notes of black olive and ...See Full Review$22 -
Lealtanza 2011 Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainGritty aromas of peanut and asphalt are hard and capped. On the ...See Full Review$38 -
CVNE 2016 Cune Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainRed-berry aromas of cassis and plum are a touch stalky and rustic, ...See Full Review$29 -
Eguren Ugarte 2017 Ochenta (Rioja)
Northern SpainBlack plum and cassis aromas are ripe, friendly and a bit grapy. ...See Full Review$20
- $1–$15(1,894)
- $16–$25(1,618)
- $26–$40(1,279)
- $41–$60(620)
- $61–$75(192)
- $76–$99(126)
- $100–$199(191)
- $200+(45)
-
Spain(5,180)
-
Northern Spain(4,521)
- Rioja(2,698)
- Ribera del Duero(1,330)
- Navarra(128)
- Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon(113)
- Toro(79)
- Cigales(45)
- Carinena(35)
- Campo de Borja(31)
- Somontano(18)
- Tierra del Vinos de Zamora(8)
- Pago de Arinzano(7)
- Sardon de Duero(6)
- Rueda(5)
- Vino de Mesa de Castilla y Leon(4)
- Vino de Calidad de Valtiendas(3)
- Ribera del Queiles(2)
- Vino de la Tierra Ribera del Gallego-Cinco Villas(2)
- Arribes del Duero(1)
- Bajo Aragon(1)
- Calatayud(1)
- Ribera del Arlanza(1)
- Vino de la Tierra de Zamora(1)
- Vino de la Tierra del Bajo Aragon(1)
- Zamora(1)
-
Central Spain(500)
- Vino de la Tierra de Castilla(190)
- La Mancha(136)
- Valdepenas(79)
- Tierra de Castilla(24)
- Ribera del Guadiana(20)
- Ucles(13)
- Madrid(8)
- Vinos de Madrid(8)
- Extremadura(6)
- Ribera del Jucar(4)
- Tierra Manchuela(4)
- Castilla La Mancha(3)
- Sacedon-Mondejar(2)
- Almansa(1)
- Mentrida(1)
- Vino de la Tierra de Manchuela(1)
- Levante(83)
- Catalonia(60)
- Spain Other(10)
- Andalucia(6)
-
Northern Spain(4,521)
-
US(765)
-
California(364)
-
Central Coast(127)
- Paso Robles(62)
- Santa Ynez Valley(14)
- Livermore Valley(12)
- Central Coast(7)
- Paso Robles Willow Creek District(5)
- Arroyo Seco(4)
- Santa Barbara County(4)
- Edna Valley(3)
- Adelaida District(2)
- Arroyo Grande Valley(2)
- San Antonio Valley(2)
- San Benito County(2)
- San Luis Obispo County(2)
- Santa Cruz Mountains(2)
- Monterey(1)
- Monterey County(1)
- Santa Barbara(1)
- Templeton Gap District(1)
- Sierra Foothills(77)
- Central Valley(70)
- Sonoma(23)
- Lake County(20)
- California Other(16)
- Napa(13)
- South Coast(12)
- Mendocino County(2)
- Napa-Sonoma(2)
- North Coast(2)
-
Central Coast(127)
- Oregon(202)
- Washington(153)
- Texas(21)
- Idaho(14)
- Arizona(4)
- New Mexico(3)
- Colorado(1)
- New Jersey(1)
-
California(364)
- Argentina(74)
- Australia(11)
- Italy(7)
- Chile(4)
- Mexico(4)
- Israel(3)
- South Africa(2)
- Uruguay(2)
- Portugal(1)
- Nonvintage(16)
- 2019(6)
- 2018(39)
- 2017(125)
- 2016(272)
- 2015(370)
- 2014(421)
- 2013(293)
- 2012(389)
- 2011(398)
- 2010(369)
- 2009(436)
- 2008(392)
- 2007(345)
- 2006(392)
- 2005(333)
- 2004(350)
- 2003(205)
- 2002(151)
- 2001(233)
- 2000(135)
- 1999(112)
- 1998(106)
- 1997(36)
- 1996(59)
- 1995(29)
- 1994(22)
- 1993(3)
- 1992(1)
- 1991(4)
- 1990(1)
- 1989(2)
- 1987(1)
- 1985(1)
- 1982(2)
- 1981(1)
- 1978(1)
- 1970(1)
- 1964(1)