WTN: Raspon - Raspoff

by **David M. Bueker** » Mon Jul 15, 2024 12:29 pm

2023 Orixe Sotelo Tempranillo Raspón - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (7/14/2024)
I am a well known carbonic fermentation skeptic. Heck, forget skeptic, I really don't care for it at all. I am not really sure how I ended up even ordering this wine, except perhaps that I really like the producer, and wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Well surprise, surprise, surprise! I actually like this. Yes it has some carbonic character, but it's not at all dominant. Granted this is the first carbonic Tempranillo I have ever tried, but I get none of the overtly grapey/confected character that turns me off. It's definitely a suave wine (aparently it was pressed off quickly to avoid significant tannin), and it's even better with a quick chill to get it back to say 60-65 degrees on a hot summer evening. Good back end acidity, and some earthy/loamy notes that signal both Tempranillo and Shake Ridge to me.

by **Jenise** » Tue Jul 16, 2024 8:22 am

If it won you over maybe there's hope for me; but I am doubtful. No one has succeeded yet in showing me something I like, though several have tried.

by **David M. Bueker** » Tue Jul 16, 2024 10:56 am

Really not sure what I would counsel, as I think our palates have diverged over the last couple of years.