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Tempranillo is the world's third-most widely planted red winegrape; it trails only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Yet unlike its two competitors, Tempranillo rarely appears on a wine label. In fact, the grape goes under so many aliases (Tinto Roriz, Ull de Liebre, Cencibel …) you might be forgiven for thinking it's trying to hide its popularity.
Fortunately, it's not hard to track down Tempranillo-based wines. Most of them, and almost all of the best, come from Spain. The grape reaches its peak in red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro. But versions from elsewhere in the country can deliver different character and good value. Here are some recently reviewed Tempranillo-based reds from Spain that are worth seeking out—all under $30.
BODEGAS BALBAS Ribera del Duero Crianza 2016
WS Review: Cocoa and sandalwood notes frame currant, wild berry, toast and mineral flavors in this expressive red. Dense but remains lively and fresh, with a floral finish. Drink now through 2028. 18,000 cases made.
Why It's of Note: Ribera del Duero, in central Spain, has been a wine region for centuries, but only emerged on the world stage in the 1980s. The Balbas family, which dates its grapegrowing heritage to the 18th century, has been a leader. Their crianza is made from estate-grown fruit, 90 percent Tempranillo and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.
BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS VIÑA MAYOR Tempranillo Ribera del Duero Reserva 2014
WS Review: This firm red shows a balanced mix of fruit and savory notes, with black cherry and plum flavors playing off herbal and loamy earth details. Well-integrated tannins and smoky acidity keep this focused. Drink now through 2029. 4,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Viña Mayor was founded in 1986, among the first wave to follow the official creation of the region as a Denominación de Origen in 1982. The reserva is 100 percent Tempranillo matured in a mix of French and American oak barrels. The cool 2014 vintage gives the wine a savory character.
BODEGAS RESALTE DE PEÑAFIEL Ribera del Duero Vendimia Seleccionada 2016
WS Review: This chewy red delivers black cherry, plum and licorice flavors in a dense texture, with firm tannins balanced by lively acidity. Exuberant, yet remains harmonious. Best from 2020 through 2030. 1,040 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Resalte de Peñafiel is a relative newcomer to the region, founded in 2000. Its state-of-the-art winery features gravity flow and fermentation tanks keyed to specific vineyards. This bottling sees six months of aging in large French oak barrels.
VIÑA BUJANDA Rioja Crianza 2015
WS Review: This lithe red is bright and energetic. Fresh cherry and red plum flavors mingle with leafy, licorice and vanilla notes, backed by light tannins and tangerine acidity. Supple and graceful. Drink now through 2025. 5,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: The Bujanda family has been making wines in Rioja since 1889. This winery, founded in 2009, owns 300 acres of small vineyard parcels located in both the Alavesa and Alta subregions. The crianza bottling is made with 100 percent Tempranillo, aged 12 months in a mix of American oak (traditional for the region) as well as French oak barrels.
TOBELOS BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS Rioja Crianza 2014
WS Review: Smoky and herbal flavors wreathe cherry, licorice, tea and mineral notes in this lively red. The supple tannins are well-integrated, and orange peel acidity keeps this fresh. Drink now through 2028. 600 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Rioja is a region in transition, with new wineries and new approaches to winemaking contributing to innovation and development. Tobelos, founded at the turn of the recent century, is an avant-garde winery helmed by winemaker Adriana Laucirica. Yet the wines remain recognizably Rioja in style; the crianza is 100 percent Tempranillo from old vines, aged in a mix of oak to deliver a supple, lively wine.
VOLVER La Mancha Single Vineyard 2016
WS Review: This plush red offers bold flavors of blackberry, currant, cocoa and espresso, with well-integrated tannins and sweet-tart acidity. Generous, fruity and fresh, in the modern style. Drink now through 2026. 5,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Rafael Cañizares founded Volver in 2004 with the goal of recuperating old vineyards in undervalued regions of Spain. His family has been growing grapes in the central region of La Mancha for four generations. This bottling comes from Finca Los Juncares, a 60-acre Tempranillo vineyard planted in 1957. The wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 15 months.