Behind the Cork™ - Senorio de Odon Crianza

2020 Señorio de Odon Crianza ($6.99)

In Spanish wine, Crianza is a regulated aging classification that literally translates to "breeding" or "nurturing". It is the second tier of aged wine in Spain's quality system, sitting between young, un-aged wines (Joven) and more heavily aged wines (Reserva and Gran Reserva).

Crianza wines must have been aged a minimum of 24 months with at least one year of barrel aging followed by bottle aging.

This Crianza is produced by the family-owned Bodegas Leza García. It is 100% Tempranillo from the Rioja Alta region of Spain.

Señorio de Odon is deep ruby red in color with the classic Tempranillo aromas of cherry and spices. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black cherry, fig and plum. It has medium-high tannin and acidity. It finishes lean with a bit of tannin and tartness.

The 2020 Señorio de Odon is widely available at Trader Joe’s and an excellent value. That makes it a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Behind the Cork™ - Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja

2016 Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja ($30)

Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva 2016 is a well-regarded Spanish red wine from the Rioja region of Spain.

With a history dating back 50 years, Bodegas Olarra base their wines on the ideal selection of the raw material, on the traditional winemaking methods which have been adapted to modern times and the evolution of their wines to the tastes of the consumer.

The third generation of the Bodegas Olarra family is made up of three committed young winemakers who are totally wrapped up in the production of great Rioja wines — Pedro Limousin Ucín, Marcial Zapke Ucín and Luis Limousin Ucín.

This Gran Reserva (meaning it spent a minimum of 2 years in oak and minimum of 3 years in the bottle) is produced from 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Granacha and 5% Graciano. At it’s 9-year mark, it’s definitely showing its age with its tawny color. On the nose, there is black fruit and sweet tobacco. On the palate, it has flavors of black cherry and fig. It finishes spicy and nutty (from aging oxidation).

This 2016 Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva Rioja may be at its peak after nine-plus years. So, if you get an opportunity to try it, it’s well worth the experience. It’s this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja

2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja ($12)

This wine was bottled for Bodegas Ondarre, located in the Rioja region of Spain. It is a “Gran Reserva” wine which means that it was aged for a minimum of five years in oak and bottle with a minimum of 2 years in oak and a minimum of 3 years in the bottle before being released by the winery.

Tempranillo is the grape of Rioja and this wine is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 2% Garnacha.

This 2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja is a medium garnet in color with nice aromas of dark fruit and oak. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of black cherry, fig, a touch of blueberry, sweet tobacco leaf and notable cedar from the oak aging.

This is a 2018 wine that’s a Gran Reserva. And, it sells for under $20! This is a great value for a really good wine. Look for it! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Puerta de Plata Red Blend

2023 Puerta de Plata ($7.99)

Puerta de Plata (i.e., Silver Door) wine is produced in Spain and bottled by Terra Cellars.

It is made from 60% Tempranillo and 40% Garnacha. A bit of on-line searching seems to indicate this wine was aged for 12 months in American and French oak.

This wine is medium ruby red in color with a nice aroma of cherry, along with herbal notes and some hints of its oak aging. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of cherry (from the Tempranillo) and blackberry (from the Garacha). It has medium tannin and medium acidity that leads to a lightly spicy and slightly jammy finish.

It’s hard to beat this Puerta de Plata wine for its nice flavor and value. This makes it a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Tempranillo Wines of Gonzalez Byass

November 14th is International Tempranillo Day! Here are three really nice Tempranillo wines from Gonzalez Byass:

2016 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.00)

A Gran Reserva from Rioja, like this one, spends a minimum of two years aging in oak and three years in the bottle before being sold.

This wine is deep purple in color with aromas of sweet, jammy dark fruit. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black cherry and tart cherry, with medium tannin and medium acidity. The oak is well integrated to make it well-balanced. You’ll never go wrong with this wine.


2016 Dominio Fournier Reserva ($49.99)

This is a fine example of “Tinta del País” or Tempranillo. The “Reserva” designation indicates that it is required to be aged for one year in oak and then spend two years in the bottle before being sold.

This wine, from Ribera del Duero, is produced from 100% Tempranillo. It it deep purple in color with delicate aromas of black cherry and hints of its 15 months of aging in new French oak. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has the distinctive Tempranillo flavor of cherry with firm tannin, medium acidity and finishes with just a bit of tartness.

2020 Beronia Vereia Single Vineyard ($79.99)

This wine comes from the single vineyard plot that was first planted in 1950at Beronia of Rioja.

This wine is made from 100% Tempranillo that was aged for 12 months in new French oak before spending 10 months in the bottle before its release.

It is deep purple in color with delicate dark-fruit aromas. On the palate it has good flavors of red and black cherry. The new oak aging yields a rich vanilla flavor on the finish.

Gonzalez Byass USA is a leading national importer and marketer of wines and spirits from the Gonzalez Byass family’s estates in Spain, Chile and Mexico. These three Tempranillo wines from Gonzalez Byass are excellent wines and this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Gonzalez Byass