Friday, March 13, 2015

Lodi Tempranillo: McCay Cellars

A recent social media virtual wine tasting event featured five great Tempranillos from Lodi.  We have already posted about Bokisch, Riaza, Harney Lane, and m2.  Today we wrap up with McCay Cellars.

The wine tasters who gathered on Twitter were not disappointed in their quest for some great Tempranillo straight out of the Lodi earth.   Comments were tweeted from the likes of  @CharlesComm, who noted "Explosive aromatics on the @mccaycellars #Tempranillo. Bring on those papas!"  @TheWineyMom tweeted, "My first sniff gives out some nutty aromas. BIG nose!!"
 @devinewinetime chimed in with, "Tempranillo - Tons of red fruit; spice & smooth, lingering tannins. Quite sippable!"  Another note from @GrapeOccasions stated, "I'm picking up Eucalyptus  and I like it!"

McCay Cellars Tempranillo Lot 13 Vineyard 2012  $28

Michael McCay does some wonderful things with the grapes that grow in his estate vineyard.  McCay has been a Lodi grape grower since the 1980s, putting his own name on wines for a handful of vintages now.  He loves and lives Lodi, gushing on the McCay website, “Lodi has California’s best climate for producing wine grapes.  The Mokelumne Rivers’s sandy loam soil along with the Delta’s cool breezes provide the perfect and unique environment for growing the best wine grapes in the world.”  His Grenache and Zinfandel speak directly to that claim.  So does his Tempranillo.

At 14.3% abv, the alcohol content of the Lot 13 Vineyard Tempranillo is a bit relaxed by Lodi standards.  Also common in Lodi - and typical for McCay - is a limited production of 179 cases.  This wine retails for $28.

The aromas here really do explode from the glass.  Brambly, dusty cherry is dripping with mocha, chocolate and sage.  The medium density of the ruby hue foretells the easy-sipping mouthfeel.  Flavors of black cherry lead the palate parade, with a great streak of minerals and a fistful of tannins in tow.  A hint of slightly tart raspberry brings the finish into focus.  It's an incredibly enjoyable wine, offering something exciting for at least four of the senses.


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