Wine Each Week – 2017 Bela

Tempranillo isn’t new. The earliest “official” mention of it is from 1807, but it’s believed that Tempranillo was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago. Either way, everyone benefits from the 2017 Bela. This is 100% Tempranillo (AKA Tinta del Pais) and offers soft notes of blackberry, plum and blueberry, light floral notes, a hint of smokiness and light pepper. This is a very subdued wine, one that does not clobber you over the head with aggressive fruit. There’s a beautiful balance encompassing fruit, wood, tannic structure and acidity, which creates a very enjoyable wine. What makes this wine endearing is that it doesn’t stand out. That may seem like the wrong approach because people want a wine that has big fruit and huge oak, but what Bela provides is exactly what a wine should provide - a compliment for the foods at your dinner table - a wine that works well with others. This is that wine. The price for the quality is excellent.

ORIGIN: Ribera del Duero, Spain

ALCOHOL: 14%

PRICE: $19 (750ML)

SCORE: 91 POINTS

Wine Each Week: 2013 Las Positas Vineyard Coccineous

The irony of the Livermore Valley is that it’s still an under-the-radar wine region, in spite of it being one of the oldest planted areas to vineyards in California. So it’s really no surprise that gems are hidden there. A case in point is this Coccineous (which translates as “scarlet”), a blend of 43% Tempranillo, 36% Petite Sirah, along with small amounts of Syrah and Malbec. Though currently on the market this 2013 defies its age and is drinking incredibly well. It offers mature notes of black berry, raspberry, cedar, black cherry, with back notes of mulberry, pomegranate and quiet notes of rhubarb. There’s a still vibrant acidity, and harmonious balance. Using a mere 30% new French and American oak, the balance between fruit and wood is impressive. This wine is also a rather unique look into a blend that seems it shouldn’t work on paper, but does work in the glass and on the palate, a wine that takes you off guard and makes you believe in small producers who toil away in the far reaches of the industry. It also shows how large distribution networks often overlook the little guy, ignoring intriguing wines with small production. Fortunately, Las Positas will keep making their wine.

ORIGIN: Livermore Valley, California

PRICE: $48/ 750 ML

www.laspositasvineyards.com

Limited availability, 290 cases.