Trader Joe's Wine #2 Abancay Mascara Del Sol Tempranillo Merlot Crianza 2010

Mascara del Sol translates as Mask of the Sun. The picasso style label fits with this description. This Crianza red wine is 70% Tempranillo and 30% merlot from northeast Spain, with an A.C. of 13.5%. Crianza is a legal wine term in Spain signifying that the wine was aged at least 2 years before release. This wine was aged 12 months in oak and at least one year in the bottle.

The initial taste of this wine is a light berry flavor. Some may taste strawberries or other fruit. The wine then finishes with a lot of dry oak and tannins, which I did not expect. This makes the wine suitable to match with a variety of foods, from chicken to pasta to beef.

Last year I reviewed a spanish wine Tranco that was $6.95 and said that if you could find a better wine for that low price, I would like to know about it. This wine is also $6.95 (at Trader Joe's) and I think it gives Tranco a run for the money. Both wines are great values. Let me know what you think!

SC Wine Joe rating=89

This Trader Joe's Wine tour is getting to be a lot of fun!!!

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