2019 Tempranillo
The fruit for this bottling is sourced from the Riverbank vineyard located in Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco Appellation, where daytime temperatures reach the mid to upper 80s. This appellation is cooled by fog and wind drawn in from the cold waters of Monterey Bay.
The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard and again at the winery before being completely destemmed. Whole berries were fermented in small open-top tanks. Gentle punch-downs provided for optimum extraction, while maintaining an elegantly structured wine. The wine was aged for eleven months in 24% new French oak.
The 2019 Tempranillo has a beautiful garnet color with aromas of cherry pie, molasses, and sweet herbs. On the palate it displays lingering flavors of purple and black fruits. This wine features sweet tannins, a full body, and medium acidity — delicious by itself or paired with full-flavored grilled meats and aged cheeses.
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91 Points / Editors' Choice
"Cooler climate Tempranillos are hard to come by in California, but this is a strong case for making more. Light in the glass, the wine kicks off with fresh aromas of tart cherry, wet soil, chiseled stone and a hint of pepper on the nose. There are ripe and fun strawberry and plum flavors on the sip, as well as an ashy minerality of white rock. It’s easy to enjoy, without so much oak baggage." - Matt Kettmann, December 2021
91 Points
"Dan Lee and his team are on quite a roll at Morgan, and though you might not expect this bottle to be part of the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah dominant lineup, it’s certainly up to the standard set by years of great bottlings. Some of the same techniques are in play, like moderate use of new oak, gentle punchdowns during fermentation and a fine balance between fruit load and acidity. All this delivers bold cherry fruit, soft vanilla and moderate toast that keeps the cherry in front. Don’t overlook this (or the Riesling) if you visit! Contains 12% Grenache." - Rich Cook, December 2021
92 Points
"Medium ruby color, clean, crisp and juicy with fresh, black raspberry fruit, balanced and delicious, long."
- Anthony Dias Blue, June 2021