This 2022 Tempranillo from Ray and Jen Costanzo under the new Storm King Wine Company label is the most smashable young Granite Belt Tempranillo I’ve ever encountered.
The wine was pressed on Ray’s Dad’s old basket press gently hand plunged, no fining or filtering, 60% Whole Bunch Carbonic Maceration (and inspired decision by Ray and Jen).
The colour in the glass is bright, gleaming and glistening with multiple fresh hues. Purple, ruby, garnet, deep red, black – a reflective presentation of colourful glows absolutely dancing in radiant energy.
The bouquet is full, fresh and powerful. Dark and sour cherries, kirsch, a little nuttiness, spicy whole bunch characters, cinnamon, pepper and something I imagine to be rather like sandalwood impregnated with aniseed.
A mouth filling very smashable palate with black sour and savoury cherries with just a hint of some background vanilla/coconut, aniseed combines with black pepper and cinnamon. There could be some sandalwood on the palate but I’ve never tasted sandalwood only smelled it, this is intriguing. The balance/juxtaposition of acid and fruit is superb providing genuine vitality to your palate, there is some earthiness later in the palatal drive with late hints of saltiness, the tannins are fine and almost a little furry with late drying. The length of the wine provides lingering flavours before refreshing your palate and returning you for more experiences. This is a different Tempranillo, masterfully so and presents previously unrealised factors of Tempranillo on The Granite Belt.
It is indeed difficult to resist drinking this wine and once started more difficult to stop. For an introduction to Tempranillo under the Storm King Wine label this is a belter and a huge credit to both Ray and Jen. Due to the Carbonic Maceration I’m not sure this will be a long cellaring proposition but 5 years won’t be a problem, beyond that I intent to find out through experience.
Tasted: Saturday 15th July, 2023 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Wax Sealed Diam
Oak: French
Fruit Source: Golden Grove Estate
Price: $45
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 to 2028
Winemaker: Ray and Jen Costanzo
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