Calle Real Tempranillo Reserva

This is the Real deal baby! It’s Calle Real Tempranillo Reserva (pronounced “kal-eh ray-al“) and it’s an absolute lesson in picking up killer bargain buys for your money if you know what you’re looking for.

Being a Master of Wine (Steve Bennett) and being well connected through Europe with all of your MW buddies always helps too! Calle Real is a six year old aged Spanish Reserva Tempranillo (prounounced temp-rah-knee-oh) that’s “Rioja Reserva” in style but from the Valdepenas region in the southern part of central Spain.

So what’s with Reserva on the label? Does it actually mean anything? You bet. Strict Spanish wine rules mean that any wine labelled “Reserva” must be aged for a minimum of 3 years, at least six months of that must be aged in oak. This wine’s had 12 months in oak and 24 months careful ageing in the cellar before release. It’s now had a couple of extra years under its belt and boy has it hit its straps!

Made by the Navarro Lopez winery – they’re the guys that make two of the most popular Spanish reds on our shores, Rojo and Arriba. You’d usually fork out $11.99 for either of those “entry level” wines – so how about spending a couple of bucks more and getting the next step up in class? No brainer right?

Medium to full bodied with loads of soft, lush black fruit flavours and silky smooth tannins. You really have to ask yourself, will one case be enough?

No need for any additional long term cellaring – that bits already been done for you! There’s no hurry mind, this guy will keep going for a good couple of years yet. Just rip the cork out and enjoy with a whole heap of different cuisine – game meats, grilled or barbecued steaks or sausages or a wedge of aged cheddar.