(4) Wines made from Tempranillo

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Even though the Nabers have adopted the Aussie spelling for their wine, the 2006 Shiraz is not quite as bold or over the top as the name might suggest. The 2006 from Flat Creek is a blend of 75% Shiraz and 25% Tempranillo, and the Tempranillo contributes aromas and flavors of plums and leather to the cherry notes brought by the Shiraz. The wine also displays toasted barrel aromas, such as mocha and coffee, on top of this medium-full bodied wine. ($22)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

This is my favorite wine that I can get for $7 in multiple places around town. Made with 85% Castelao, 7.5% Tempranillo, and 7.5% Syrah, it is a great table and food wine with enough acid to pair with many types of dishes. Red fruit prevails in the nose and mouth. This wine is simple, but pleasant and drinkable, especially for the money. ($7-8)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: soft
• Look for at: wine.com

This big rosé from the Carinena region of Spain is no wimp. Composed of 50% Cabernet and 50% Tempranillo, this rosé has muscle. The must was allowed 12 hours of contact time with the skin before it was drawn off, giving the wine a deep strawberry color. The nose shows rich strawberries with floral overtones. In the mouth, the wine is full, with plenty of structure and a long finish. Parker gave this wine a 90, which I think is a bit high, but this is a great value nonetheless. I would pair this Rosé with pork or even a grilled hamburger. ($7.5-10)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

What a great value from Rioja. This blend of Tempranillo, Garacha, and Graciano exhibits the rich and opulent side of Rioja. The wine opens with a nose of red fruit and vanilla, the the red fruit follows through on the palate accompanied by velvety tannins. The Crianza is another example of the good things that can come from Spain. ($13-15)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Made from 90% Tempranillo, this is a good example of the new wave of Spanish wines. This wine has a nose with lots of new oak and cherries. In the mouth, this wine has a firm tannin structure that supports red fruit and licorice. This bottle would be a good way to see what you think about wines from the Rioja region of Spain. ($19-21)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Produced by R Lopez de Heredia Vina Condonias S. A., this blend of Tempanillo, Garnacho, and Graciano is a classic Spanish red wine. Light in color, the wine is showing classic smoke, leather, and cherries in the nose. On the palate, the wine is light-medium bodied with smooth soft tannins, but enough acid to be great dinner companion. ($32-37)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

This Tinto from Herencia Remondo is one of my favorite go-to wines. Made from Tempranillo, Grenache, and Graciano, this medium bodied smooth wine offers a nose of smoke, cherries, and spice. In the mouth, the wine shows rich flavors of cherry, and the silky tannins support a long, pleasant finish. I think this wine would make a perfect Saturday night at home. ($19-22)