Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo Cabernet 2009

Varietal: Tempranillo (60%); Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)
Region: Spain
Cost: $10 (SRP)

Fruit aromas with flavors of raspberry, cherry, plum, and blackberry.  Pairs well with grilled eggplant, grilled skirt steaks, vegetarian chili, pork, and tapas.

Recommendations: Last month I did a review of the 2009 Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo Shiraz, and while I enjoyed it, if push came to shove and I had to choose between the Shiraz blend and the Cabernet blend…I’d have to go with the Cabernet blend.  The aromas of the wine were of berry, and based on the nose I was expecting a fairly fruit forward wine, but that’s not what I got.

Sure, there were flavors of berry, but there were also hints of chocolate and a smoothness to the wine that I found incredibly enjoyable.  Paired with a dinner of pork tenderloin and risotto, this wine was a perfect compliment, and quite honestly was great just by itself.  This may actually be one of the best value wines I’ve had in a while, and I definitely recommend trying it out if you come across a bottle of it.

While both Tempra Tantrum wines were good, my wife and I both agreed that the Tempranillo/Cabernet blend was our favorite and the one that we could see ourselves grabbing a case of to just have around the house for whatever.  This is a great party wine as the flavors will fit with a range of foods and a range of palates.  I absolutely say try out a bottle, and if you can’t find it near you at a store, you can find it online by going here.  Give it a try and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.