DOMINIO de EGUREN CODICE TEMPRANILLO 2023

Another excellent value offering from Spain that has become a bit of a crowd fave. Rich, rounded and full, with enticing black fruits and Tempranillo warmth.

The Eguren family produces Codice, one of the world's best value wines, from vineyards in Manchuela, Rioja, and Toro. They lease vineyards on long term contracts from farmers in Manchuela who grow Tempranillo on the limestone rich soils at high altitudes in this southeastern corner of Spain. The oldest vineyards are 35 years old, grown sustainably, and dry farmed. These conditions reduce yields and result in incredibly balanced but fruit forward Tempranillo. The Eguren family also blends 10-15% of the wine with young estate grown vineyards in Rioja and Toro, which are planted with massal selections from the family's best estate grown plots. Further, in the final blending process, any wine that does not make the cut for Romanico & Sierra Cantabria Crianza is declassified into Codice.

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"Ruby red with light violet in the edges of the glass. Red fruits (raspberries, blackberries) of nice intensity, coffee, toasted notes and vanilla. Well structured, balanced tannins-alcohol-acidity, fresh mature fruit in perfect conjunction with the characteristics of aging (spices, toasted coffee and noble wood). The finish leaves a pleasant memory of lightly toasted notes."

*Note, this wine is under screwcap, rather than cork as pictured.