Altos de Tamaron 2003 from Spain

Spanish wine from an increasingly popular area this week. It has an attractive medium depth ruby red colour with a bouquet that’s pleasant but not pronounced of a blend of red berry fruit and a slightly scented nose. The taste is fruity (black cherries come to mind), acidity is balanced and the alcohol is an adequate 13%. It’s a well-balanced dry wine with a pleasant finish which should go well with lamb and most meat dishes.

The region of production is Ribero del Duero (on the banks of the R.Duero). Here the altitude is fairly high, the growing season short and the soil is chalk and limestone.

The ruling body of the area, the consejo regulador, has invested heavily in research and development and there’s been a great deal of new planting. The area has become more popular since 1990 and received its D.O. (Denominacion Origen) in 1992.

The main grape variety of the region is the Tinto Fino also known here as the Tinto del Pais, actually it’s the local variant of Spain’s premiere grape the Tempranillo, which seems to change its name with region. The D.O. demands a minimum of 75% of this grape in all its wines – five others are permissible including Cabernet Sauvignon. There is no D.O. for white wine here although rosé is made. The vineyards cover over 10,000 hectares and the yield is set at 49hl/ha. Their regulation and the terroir has produced a tasty wine for drinking now and during the next year.

This bottle came from Tesco priced at £5.99.

28/03/06