WTN: 2006 C3 Tempranillo (from Core)

This was a good way to start the year.

2006 C3 Tempranillo - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (1/1/2009)
I can’t say that I would pick this out as Tempranillo but I can say this smells awesome. Great fruit and complexity. This was much richer than a Spanish Temp. Still is very unique and I don’t think I would have a good guess as to what it was. If Cali Temp of this quality can be produced for under $20, then I am in. Ready for immediate pleasure. Not sure how it would develop … although we had it over around 5 hours so it saw a good amount of air. This is not angular or pretty … just damn tasty! (92 pts.)

Jason

It is hard to find Core where I am at. Only been able to get the 2005 red wine. But based upon that one wine and now your note it seems like Core is producing some great QPR wines. At the $14/btl that I paid the wine is almost competative with cote du rhone. If the dollar falls much farther it likely will be.

It is hard to find Core where I am at. Only been able to get the 2005 red wine. But based upon that one wine and now your note it seems like Core is producing some great QPR wines. At the $14/btl that I paid the wine is almost competative with cote du rhone. If the dollar falls much farther it likely will be.

Can you order direct? The do have a nice range of wines ... and the higher end stuff has the quality to match.

Jason

Can you order direct? The do have a nice range of wines ... and the higher end stuff has the quality to match.

Not easily. I am in Maryland which means no shipping but I do have someone that receives for me in DC. But by the time I add on shipping cost and my time to pick it up the QPR of the wine starts dropping fast.

Any specific recs on the higher end stuff? I still may place and order.

[Jenise]

This was a good way to start the year.

2006 C3 Tempranillo - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (1/1/2009)
I can’t say that I would pick this out as Tempranillo but I can say this smells awesome. Great fruit and complexity. This was much richer than a Spanish Temp. Still is very unique and I don’t think I would have a good guess as to what it was. If Cali Temp of this quality can be produced for under $20, then I am in. Ready for immediate pleasure. Not sure how it would develop … although we had it over around 5 hours so it saw a good amount of air. This is not angular or pretty … just damn tasty! (92 pts.)

Jason

I'm doing a "mixed case" tasting at the end of next week in which every red on the table will be a different grape variety. This would make a perfect 'ringer', on theme but trickier to guess as so few have any experience with domestic tempranillo, while still being a really good, worthwhile wine worth discovering--not just a novelty act.

I've had this twice now.. actually had one bottle at the Ballard Inn up in Los Olivos very soon after it was released.. nice stuff.... and at $20 hard to complain...

Can you order direct? The do have a nice range of wines ... and the higher end stuff has the quality to match.

Not easily. I am in Maryland which means no shipping but I do have someone that receives for me in DC. But by the time I add on shipping cost and my time to pick it up the QPR of the wine starts dropping fast.

Any specific recs on the higher end stuff? I still may place and order.

I hear ya. I am always trying to find buddies like Dietz show we can ship a bunch of bottles in 1 shipment driving the per bottle price down.

I can't say I have a lot of experience with the higher end stuff but have been very impressed with Elevation Sensation. And my one taste of the Cuvee Fletcher was outstanding. Keep in mind the higher end stuff focuses on a more old world style. I like them young but they present themselves very differently than the C3.

Jason

I'm doing a "mixed case" tasting at the end of next week in which every red on the table will be a different grape variety. This would make a perfect 'ringer', on theme but trickier to guess as so few have any experience with domestic tempranillo, while still being a really good, worthwhile wine worth discovering--not just a novelty act.

I would be very surprised if someone pegged this as Tempranillo. I have had some of the higher end Temps from Dave that showed more old world and reminded me of Rioja.

Not to say this doesn't represent Temp. it is just that I never get to taste Cali Temp. so I had nowhere to place it.

I am pretty glad to see more Tempranillo popping up. Washington, Oregon and Cali.

Jason