Wine of the week: Dacu Tempranillo 2015
by Wine Curmudgeon Posted On
The Dacu tempranillo is $10 red wine from Spain that offers what we want in cheap wine – quality and value
There is nothing spectacular about the Dacu Tempranillo, no fancy appellation, no 90-plus scores, no hipster sommelier raves. Rather, it’s solid and enjoyable cheap red wine from Spain.
So why do we need spectacular?
The Dacu Tempranillo ($10, purchased, 14%) comes from an almost unknown part of Spain, in the southwestern part of the country near the Portuguese border. As such, it’s completely different from the tempranillos from Spain’s most famous regions – not as refined as those from Rioja and not as lush as those from Ribera del Duero.
In this, look for just ripe cherry and berry fruit, plus a little licorice and spiciness as well as the fresh acidity that marks Spanish tempranillo. It’s not a complicated wine, but that’s not a problem given how well made it is – balanced and eminently drinkable.
Pair this with red meat on the grill, whether steak or hamburgers, and it would do the job with smoked chicken or brisket as well. Highly recommended, and a candidate for the 2018 $10 Hall of Fame.