Origin: Dunnigan Hills, near Yolo County, CA
Grape: 51% Tempranillo, 39% Tannat, 10% Verdejo
Year: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price point: $13
Year Reviewed: 2018
51% Tempranillo in a Rose catches my attention on the get go. I love the Tempranillo grape, so what will that bring out in a Rose?? The Tinto Rey Rose is a clear medium salmon colored wine with lighter aromas of strawberries and raspberries. These Matchbox estate grown grapes are a unique blend that has flavors of sour cherries and ripened watermelon, and the acidity leaves a noticeable gentle tingle on your tongue. This crispness is perfect for a warm to hot summer day. The medium finish smooths out after a bit with a pleasant touch of sourness lingering. The wine was made by fermenting all three varietals together and then cold fermented in stainless steel. Very good quality and some conversation about some not well known grapes.
So why is Dunnigan Hills a great AVA?
Origin: Dunnigan Hills, near Yolo County, CA
Grape: 51% Tempranillo, 39% Tannat, 10% Verdejo
Year: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price point: $13
Year Reviewed: 2018
51% Tempranillo in a Rose catches my attention on the get go. I love the Tempranillo grape, so what will that bring out in a Rose?? The Tinto Rey Rose is a clear medium salmon colored wine with lighter aromas of strawberries and raspberries. These Matchbox estate grown grapes are a unique blend that has flavors of sour cherries and ripened watermelon, and the acidity leaves a noticeable gentle tingle on your tongue. This crispness is perfect for a warm to hot summer day. The medium finish smooths out after a bit with a pleasant touch of sourness lingering. The wine was made by fermenting all three varietals together and then cold fermented in stainless steel. Very good quality and some conversation about some not well known grapes. Check out Tannat below and get educated. Matchbox estates makes a bunch of wines, so try them out also.
Why is Dunnigan Hills such a great AVA?
The Dunnigan Hills AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the Dunnigan Hills, in Yolo County, California.[3] Located in the northwest portion of Yolo County, the wine region has a Mediterranean climate that is less prone to frost than other parts of the Sacramento Valley. The largest winery in the Dunnigan Hills is R.H. Phillips, which has a 1,300 acres (526 ha) estate vineyard.[3]
| Dunnigan Hills AVA | |
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
| Year established | 1993[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California |
| Total area | 89,000 acres (36,017 ha)[2] |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunnigan_Hills_AVA#cite_note-appellation_america-3
ABOUT TANNAT
The Tannat grape finds its main home in the Madiran AOP in Southwest France. There, it is used to make full-bodied, rustic and brambly reds, according to our Tannat Wine Reviews. Over the last several decades, Tannat has broadened its horizons and is now grown and vinified in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Peru, Uruguay and the US. In fact, it has become the most prominent and widely grown varietal in Uruguay and is used in every style from fortified reds to sweet rosés. However, in examining our Tannat Wine Ratings, it is the dry red wine style of Tannat that is held in the highest regard. Depending on where the wine is made and the amount of oak aging it receives, these reds can range from big and tannic with raspberry aromas (typical in France) to elegant yet powerful with blackberry fruit flavors (typical in Uruguay). To find out more about the top rated wines and top value selections, be sure to take a look through our Tannat Online Buying Guide.
https://www.winemag.com/varietals/tannat/
ABOUT VERDEJO
– Verdejo (“Vurr-day-ho”) is an uncommon, light-bodied white wine that grows almost exclusively in Spain. The wine is an outstanding alternative to wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, with surprising changes in flavors coming with age.