Murrieta’s Well, Livermore Valley (California) Tempranillo 2009

 Tempranillo, the red workhorse grape of Spain, has had mixed success in California, sometimes due to shy fruit.  In this wine Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah are blended with the Tempranillo for lift.  The deep ruby color leads to a dense raspberry and toasted oak nose, up-front full-fruit flavors that taper off in the mid palate, 13.4% alcohol and a little bitterness in the finish.