Let’s start with the conclusion: this is a QPR crazy bottle of wine. What do you do when you’re having a couple of dozen people over for a barbecue, but one is your wine-loving boss? Buy this wine. Bright cherry fruit flavors dusted with cocoa powder lead to vanilla from the obvious use of wood. But acids balance tannins, and wood does not overwhelm or collapse into a maple-vanilla mess, but rather complements the fruit. Serve with a crowd and don’t worry about disappointing the wine lovers or giving the wine snobs a reason to whine.
WHO: Campo Viejo
WHAT: Tempranillo
WHERE: Rioja, Spain
WHEN: 2006
HOW MUCH: $9 (Media sample)
