Wine Details:

• Region: Tierra de Castilla, Spain
• Winery: Bodegas Victorianas
• Type: Red Wine
• Variety: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon
• UPC: 086785740003
• Price: $7.99
• When to Drink: 2007 to 2011

Wine Analysis:

• Alcohol: 12.5%

Continuing our search for a red wine for the wedding, Jason and I recently picked up a bottle of Santana Tempranillo 2004. We’re trying to stick to Spanish or South American wines because the wedding has a bit of a Latin theme (Jason’s actually 1/4 Puerto Rican, could you tell?).

We’re tried and true lovers of Mano a Mano Tempranillo, but we’d like to find something different, as we’ve already introduced our friends and some family to this great wine. The Santana Tempranillo fit the framework for the red wine we are searching for.

This wine is produced by Bodegas Victorianas in La Mancha (Tierra de Castilla), Spain. It has a bright orange and black label with a curvy “S” on the front – a very attractive looking bottle.

Bodegas Victorianas is a fairly young winery as far as Spanish wineries go – they have been producing wine since the 1970s. This wine is made from a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. On a side note, the Mano a Mano Tempranillo 2004 is made from 100% Tempranillo and is also from La Mancha, Spain.

The Santana Tempranillo 2004 has a powerful aroma of sweet red fruits. Jason commented that it smelled almost syrupy when he popped the cork. The color is ruby red.

On the first sip, the spices come out – green pepper and licorice. On the second sip, you get the fruity flavor of cherries and ripe, well-rounded tannins. It’s not what I would call a chewy wine, but the tannins are definitely present.

Serve this wine with red meats and pasta with bold sauces. It would go well with roasted vegetables or a tapas platter of hard cheeses and cured meats.

I’ve rated this wine 3 stars. It’s a fun, everyday wine and might be perfect for a small dinner party with close friends. Is it a wedding wine? I’m not sure.

Notes from the winemaker:
This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks at a maximum of 32° C (90° F), and then aged for 6 months in American oak.