September 25, 2007

Vertvs Tempranillo Crianza 2003 Review

Bodegas Iranzo
Vertus Tempranillo Crianza
Year: 2003
ABV: 13.5%
We Paid: $10

History is a favorite topic here at CFW. We’ve argued about everything from Urban II’s motivation in the first Crusade, to the ever-important Mary Ann and Ginger debate*. So, when we saw an affordable Tempranillo from Bodegas Iranzo, we were very excited. This is a family-owned winery who make their wine from the Finca Canada Honda Vineyard, a vineyard that can be traced back to the year 1355. That’s old by the way. The new twist is that Bodegas Iranzo make their wine from organically grown grapes; history and organic farming: heaven.

The Vertus Tempranillo is a Crianza that has been aged for six months in American and French oak.
It’s a bit difficult to get a grip on this Spanish wine. At first taste, I thought to advise making Sangria out of it, but by the end of the glass, I couldn’t even recommend that. There are redeeming qualities though. They would be the wine’s fruity berry aromas with herbs, spices, flowers, and light oak. There’s a round mix of dark berry fruit, licorice, violets with earthy background flavors. Then there are the bits of evocative leather flavors that emerge, conjuring up images of Spanish Dons and Conquistadors. However, the finish is shallow and overall the wine lacks distinction worthy of its ancestry and heritage. Living up to one’s history is essential.

* By the way, the answer to the important question is Mary Ann of course.

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