Blue Rock Wines 2017 Eden Valley TempranilloOur cool-climate Eden Valley Tempranillo is ruby-red in colour with bright purple hues. The aromas of cola and black cherry indulge the nose. Enticing fruit flavours of black cherry, blueberries and boysenberries coat the soft velvety palate. Hints of chocolate make this wine reminiscent of Cherry ripe. This Spanish wine varietal pairs beautifully with tapas, marinated mushrooms, olives, chorizo sausage and even BBQ prawns. It doesnt get any more Mediterranean than that.

Yacca Paddock vineyard, owned by international film makers, Scott Hicks and Kerry Heysen-Hicks, is situated at Kuitpo in the south west escarpment of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Planted in 2000, vines are east facing with site temperatures some 2.5 degrees cooler on average than McLaren Vale which, as a crow flies, is just 5km away. The 2016 Mr. Riggs Yacca Paddock Tempranillo was fermented in a 5 tonne open fermenter, resting on skins for 7 days, followed by membrane bag pressing. Fermentation was completed in 33% new French oak with the balance 2 year old French oak. Post malo, the wine was left on its gross lees for a couple of months to add texture and creaminess to the palate. A wonderfully textural, stylish wine, with natural fruit sweetness and elegance, the Mr. Riggs Yacca Paddock Tempranillo characteristically displays savoury tannins, dried herb undertones, and highlights sweet tart red cherry flavours. Drink with food.

Upon much deliberation, our overall masked winner revealed a style and character that provided us with a fairly clear cut insight into the modern day advances of a region etched in history and tradition. Cosme Palacio consistently produces one of our favourite Riojas that always offers incredible value for money. Produced predominantly from Tempranillo grown in cool, relatively high altitude sites, this is modern Rioja that's bright and ready to go thanks to a touch of bottle age. It's medium bodied with fine tannins and juicy in the mouth. Black fruits dominate the flavour profile with some delicate cedar and earthy notes adding complexity to a delicious example from this much loved region.

Occupying some of the more elevated land in the Canberra District, Quarry Hill's climate is well-suited to produce one of the great red grapes of the world, tempranillo. Taking a cue from Spanish joven styles of young & fresh tempranillo, Quarry Hill's expression is fresh and bright-fruited, but guided in by the chewy skin tannin characteristic of the grape variety. The versatility of the wine means its not just for tapas or other Spanish foods, it also goes great with any grilled dishes or roast pork.

Mount Majura, from the emerging wine region of the Canberra District, considers Tempranillo as their flagship variety. With a dense core of dry savoury tannin, interwoven with fleshy cherry and blueberry fruit, and embroidered with a host of aromas, from sweet spices and pomegranate, to malt and leather.

This exciting Spanish black grape shows hints of red spicy berries, liquorice, raspberries and cherry, with good fleshy finish.

This elegant wine shows a deep and dark colour, with light hints of purple along the edges. The bouquet exhibits dark fruit and chocolate fragrances, with underlying oak hints. The rich and juicy palate is full of chocolate and licorice flavours, with nuances of vanillin oak supporting the palate.

Deep garnet red with a crimson hue. Spicy plum fruit aromas with intense 'broody' fruits. Hint of sweet oak with some smoky tamarillo characters. A well flavoured wine with loads of red berry fruits predominating. It has the dusty, savoury notes typical of Tempranillo with its good structure coming from the 'chewy' and lightly drying tannins. With its good structure and great length of flavour it can be matched with any foods or cellared for the short term for further complexity. Located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, West Cape Howe was named after a famous coastal landmark nearby. It was founded in 1997 by Brenden and Kylie Smith before being sold to Gavin Berry (ex-Plantagenet) and partners. West Cape Howe source fruit from specific vineyards, and sometimes specific plots, throughout the maritime-influenced Great Southern wine region. Premium parcels of fruit come from their Langton vineyard, planted in 1978. It has some of the most mature vines in the whole Great Southern area. Senior winemaker Gavin Berry prides himself on creating innovative wines that reflect the diversity of the Great Southern region. He makes wines from Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, to name just a few. The wine styles vary from fresh and fruity, under the Western Australian label, to wines with a more regional focus, under the Great Southern label.

Marqués de Riscal Próximo is a new addition to the Marqués range and is a bright and fruit driven Rioja style sourced from slightly younger Tempranillo vines. Very strict parcel selection along with traditional picking techniques, this Rioja is bursting with dark blackberry fruit with notes of rich, ripe plums. Hints of liquorice and star anise also give the wine a superb backbone that is perfectly suited many Mediterranean cuisines.

What a coup to get this wine into our range. Certainly and deservedly one of the most highly regarded Rioja producers. These are the Riojas from which dreams are made. Think leather chesterfields, smoked meats and cigar-box.