2013 Irwin Family Vineyards Tempranillo Sierra Foothills

A little over two years in large format French Oak barrels and another 8 months in the bottle brings out the bright aromas and flavors that build a classis Tempranillo. Pomegranate, plum, dark cherry, herbs & boysenberry jam open the show, leading into dark chocolate, sweet blonde tobacco and dusty earth, all packaged with well-balanced acidity and mature tannins. Like Derek himself, this is California meets Spain in the best way.