2014 Fournier Reserva ($50)

This Dominio Fournier Reserva is from Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is produced from 100% Tinta del País grapes which are more commonly known as Tempranillo.

The grapes come from the terraced sides of the Duero River which winds through more than two kilometers along the edge of their property.

Their Tempranillo vines average being more than 25 years old with some plots being more than 60 years old.

The “Reserva” designation means that a wine must be aged at least 12 months in oak and spend two years in the bottle before being sold. This Fournier Reserva was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels.

This Fournier Reserva is a big full-bodied wine with strength of flavors rivaling a Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose it was powerful with aromas of black fruit and spices. On the palate it’s big and tannic. The back- label recommendation is to “Decant and serve at 17 deg C” (63 deg F). I let mine decant for two hours which did help knock down this really big Tempranillo. It paired well with steak.

This Fournier Reserva does not have the delicate red cherry flavors often associated with Tempranillo, it is a big full-bodied wine that works with “roasted meats and casseroles, and strong matured cheese” as suggested in their notes. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications