Ripken 2012 WineBarn Red
An interesting Spanish style red blend for sure. 60% Trincadera Preta, 25% Tinta Roriz, 10% Touriga and Souzao rounds out the company. Consider this is a crazy fruit delight. Expect a huge complex fruit blast in the nose. It is delightful to smell. I wasn’t in a rush to get it on my lips. The soft acid structure makes it an easy drinker. Plenty of spices to keep you entertained. They will congregate on your tongue for a bit of a party that won’t disperse quickly. A nice finish as well. I didn’t think I was going to like that. That is one of the reasons I enjoy wine tasting. You never know…
Retail: $22.00
(K&S Rating: 4 of 6)
Winemaker Notes: “Our 2012 WineBarn Red is a blend of Trincadeira Preta, a variety found in Portugal. It’s known for it’s spice and raspberry flavors. Tinta Roriz is the Portuguese name for Tempranillo. This name is most commonly used in the Duoro valley of northwestern Portugal where Tempranillo is made into both dry red wine and port. Touriga Nacional is a variety of red wine grape, considered by many to be Portugal’s finest. Despite the low yields from its small grapes, it plays a big part in the blends used for ports, and is increasingly being used for table wine in the Douro and Dão. Touriga Nacional provides structure and body to wine, with high tannins and concentrated flavors of black fruit.. Souzao grape is known for the deep color it produces in a wine as well as its coarse and raisiny taste. This is truly a Portuguese blend loaded with flavors, deep color and light but noticeable tannins.“
