I recently had a taste of Spain via this Tempranillo from Amador County of all places!  Apparently that’s where the “cool kids” are making wine these days, and this 2012 Ferdinand Tempranillo from winemaker Evan Frazier is no exception.  He learned his skills from the ultimate “cool kid” Abe Schoener of the Scholium Project and consulting winemaker for Red Hook Winery.  

I enjoyed this wine with a delicious steak dinner at Press in St. Helena.  Medium bodied and full of bright red fruits, plum, and a slightly smoky, savory finish.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in 20% new French oak producing tannins that show up but don’t overpower.  It was especially fun to get to try something different than the typical Napa Cab.