Wine lovers are experiencing the Tapeña way of life - friends, food and good wine! And with the growing success of Tapeña comes the much welcomed reviews by members of the press and our own Tapeña fans. Please send your own thoughts to info@freixenetusa.com.
Tapeña Garnacha - rated 89 points, The Tasting Panel
Tapeña Tempranillo - Silver Medal, 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition
Tapeña Verdejo - 85 points, Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, February 2010
Tapeña Rose - rated a Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast Magazine
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Tapeña Garnacha Wine Reviews Silver Medal - 2007 Tapeña Garnacha
- 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition
"Starting with its earthy nose, this Spanish Garnacha is luscious, velvety with a hint of blueberry on the finish. Match it with your spiciest dish."
- "Thanksgiving Wine Pairings", Slashfood, November 23, 2009 Download PDF
89 points - 2007 Tapeña Garnacha
"Rich, black-raspberry fruit and smooth texture; long, balanced and charming"
- Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel, June 2009
Download PDF
"There are many reasons I love Spanish wine any time of year. Many are made with indigenous grapes (always a plus for me). They're food friendly. They're good value. In summer, though, I add another reason to my list: they go great with grilled food...This is a bold, fruity wine with aromas of blackberries and cherries. You'll find more sweet blackberry fruit in the flavors along with some cinnamon, all wrapped up in a softly textured package. An enjoyable wine that will go with a wide range of foods, including grilled vegetables and chicken."
- www.goodwineunder20.blogspot.com, 5/2009
86 points
Garnacha (aka Grenache) is a grape that does well in parts of Spain and Southern France. Known for its ripe cherry-berry flavors, it is a malleable grape, made in light, fruity styles as well as richer styles with more depth. This Garnacha is on the lighter end of the scale with bright raspberry and cherry aromas backed by sweet spices. The light flavors are clean and fresh supported by substantial tannins leading to a short finish.
- Gerald D. Boyd, winereviewonline.com, 3/4/08
Food & Wine's Best Bargains of 2007 - Rated #6
"A lively red full of bright wild strawberry flavor"
- Ray
Isle, Food & Wine Magazine, 12/2007
Click here to download full article
25 Best Wines for Summer -Pair With: Anything Slathered with Barbecue Sauce
"Spain’s Ferrer family (which also owns Spanish sparkling wine producer
Freixenet) sources grapes from the up-and-coming Tierra de Castilla region,
southeast of Madrid, for this juicy red. Full of wild strawberry and raspberry
notes, it’s a great by-the-case purchase."
- Ray Isle, Food & Wine, 6/2007
88 points
"Zesty and clean Spanish Grenache with lively black raspberry fruit; a charmer.”
- Anthony Dias BLUE Reviews, Patterson's Beverage Journal, Feb/March 2007
“A new brand, Tapeña captures the fun, flair and flavor of Spanish wine - all at a drink-me-now price. Garnacha (also called Grenache) is peppery, zesty and loaded with raspberry fruit freshness. Pair with paella, mushroom risotto or simple grilled sausages.”
- Tasting Notes by Leslie Sbrocco, epicurious.com, 4/2007
87 points
“These are two youthful, fruit forward and flavorful wines that have been produced for early consumption. …The 2005 Garnacha is dark ruby garnet with fresh aromas of black cherry and crushed raspberries. On the palate it is soft and round with good fruit flavors and ripe tannins on the finish. Both wines would pair nicely with tapas and other light fare.”
- Michael Flynn and Mike Potashnik, Iwinereview.com, 4/2007
"…The paella is lively, colorful and intensely flavored enough to match with this year's Tapeña Garnacha, a powerhouse of spice and fruit from central Spain..."
- "Paella, Tapeña Garnacha a power couple", Jolene Thym, Oakland Tribune, 4/18/07
4 Glasses – Excellent
“Tapeña Garnacha is deep cherry red in color with a hint of purple tones. The wine has wonderful aromas of mature red berry fruit that are typical of the best garnachas. In the mouth, it is rich and well-structured, with flavors of blackberries, cherry, strawberries, and hints of leather, vanilla and sweet oak. Perfectly combined with sweet and pleasant tannins, this garnacha exhibits a long, silky and balanced finish reminiscent of Rhone-style wines.”
- The Vine Times, 4/2007
Tapeña Tempranillo Wine Reviews
Silver Medal - 2007 Tapeña Tempranillo
- 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition
"I've said this before, but it's worth saying it again, Spain's Tempranillo goes beautifully with grilled food and barbecue. I recommend...the 2007 Tapeña Tempranillo with its abundant blackberry fruit and milk chocolate aftertaste...will pair beautifully with hamburgers, steak, chicken, or lamb."
- Deb Harkness, www.seriouseats.com.
"What could be better than an easy to drink red wine that's jam-packed with dark fruit flavors and priced at about $10? Not too much in my book! In Tapeña Tempranillo you'll find a wine that pours out full bodied flavors of dark red fruits and rich mocha, like a chocolate covered cherry. It's like a cross between Merlot and Pinot Noir but with an attitude all its own, one that says, 'I'm a wine for friends and good times.'"
- Ken Ohr's Wine Experience Newsletter, 5/15/09
90 points
Tempranillo is Spain's workhorse red and a nice horse this one is. From Rioja to Ribera del Duero, Tempranillo is the grape that delivers the goods. Tapeña Tempranillo is in the lighter, earlier drinking style, but it offers all of the fresh berry aromas and flavors attributable to this versatile grape. Textured with ripe dark cherry flavors, firm refined tannins and good length through the finish, this is a Tempranillo that pairs well with a wide range of dishes from meats to fish stew.
- Gerald D. Boyd, winereviewonline.com, 3/4/08
89 points
"The color is a nice bright royal red with garnet and a tinge of youthful purple. The aroma has a faint redwood character with black berries and red orange. The taste includes all the qualities of the aroma, with the nicest balance of lush juicy fruit and structure."
- "Sweeping roundup culls gems, surprises", Mark Tarbell, The Arizona Republic
“For the 2005 Tempranillo, Suberviola draws out the lush red fruit flavors associated with the variety, while keeping the tannins in check. The wine is a lush mouthful of red cherries and spice.”
- "Cheap, Red and Very Good!", Gerald D. Boyd, winereviewonline.com, 2/15/07
87 points
“These are two youthful, fruit forward and flavorful wines that have been produced for early consumption. The 2005 Tempranillo is light-bodied with a purple ruby color and pure black cherry kirsh aromas. On the palate it displays more black cherry fruit with notes of black pepper and spice and a short smooth finish. … Both wines would pair nicely with tapas and other light fare.”
- Michael Flynn and Mike Potashnik, Iwinereview.com, 4/2007
3 Glasses - Well Recommended
“A great value-priced [2005] Tempranillo with aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries, and vanilla. Tapeña tempranillo is an easy-drinking red with plenty of bright cherry flavors with hints of vanilla, oak, spice and chocolate.”
- The Vine Times, 4/2007
85 points, Best Buy - 2008 Verdejo
"A consistent wine from year to year that’s made in a friendly, mass-appeal style. It’s not so pungent and citrusy like some Verdejo; instead it’s more peachy, sweet and melony. Soft on the finish but with just enough acidity to get it through the year."
-
M.S., Wine Enthusiast Magazine, February 2010
Critics Silver Medal - 2007 Verdejo
- 2009 Critics Challenge Wine Competition
Wine & Spirits Critics Pick
Tapena 2007 Verdejo - "fresh almonds, crisp apple".
- Wine & Spirits, 6/2009
89 points
Verdejo is a nearly forgotten Spanish white grape that yields a refreshing wine that smacks of fresh peaches, similar to Albariño, another tasty Spanish white wine. The aromatics are peachy, with subtle hints of ginger ale, while the flavors are bright and crisp, more like nectarines than peaches. It finishes with crisp mouthwatering acidity, an ideal match for a wide variety of foods from tapas to grilled fish.
- Gerald D. Boyd, winereviewonline.com, 3/4/08
86 points, Best Buy - 2008 Rosé
"Two vintages running this is good, even-flowing rosé. The color is on the red side, but the nose dials in on fluffy red-berry body and a flame of heat and spice on the finish. A good food wine to drink now."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, August 2009
Click here to download PDF of review
Critics Silver Medal - 2008 Rosé
"A round and full-bodied party pleaser"
- Nick Passmore, Judge for 2009 Critics Challenge Wine Competition
"It is not often you come across a line of wines that is on the mark for a value price, but all of the wines from Tapeña have this distinction. This rosé has a beautiful ruby color and aromas of fresh strawberries, cherries and a slight hint of ash. This is not a sweet pink; it is bone dry and perfect for red wine lovers wanting a crisp white with some of the character you might find in a pinot noir. The flavors are crisp and clean with layers of cherries and pomegranate balanced by the acidity of slate or a fresh goat cheese with an ash rind. It is a perfect wine for all the warm weather menus and a steal for the price."
- Lain Bradford, as featured in WineTalk and The State, 5/12/09
88 points
"Pale watermelon red hue. Sweet black cherry aromas with a hint of earthiness. Fresh strawberry and black cherry flavors with a citrus peel-like tartness. Light, dry finish with cherry pit astringency."
- The Wine News
Tapeña Rosé included in Food & Wine's "Terrific $12-and-Under Wines"
"Tapeña, a new winery from Spanish cava producer Freixenet, makes a trio of appealing wines—red, white and rosé, the latter zesty and strawberry-rich. It’s a blend of Monastrell and Garnacha, with a touch of Syrah for backbone."
- Food & Wine, 11/2008
Download PDF of article.
Tapeña Rosé was recently featured on The Today Show as an excellent wine for the summer. View the excerpt below:
"Long before the dollar tanked I promoted Spanish rose wines for their fresh style and bargain basement prices. This release, the 2007 Tapeña Rosé Tierra de Castilla, Spain is another winner. Vibrant salmon pink in color, this bright, fresh wine has notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, and green apple. It is not light and crisp like many cooler climate wines as it is from the warm plains in Southern Spain, yet doesn’t feel heavy or cloying like many new world, especially Californian versions. Think of biting into a super sweet piece of watermelon, and then sipping cool water with lemon slices."
- Catherine Fallis, www.planetgrape.com, 7/20/08
