Don’t Judge Me Mondays: 2010 Bodega Balbas Ribera del Duero
To kick off July’s Flavor of the Month, grilling, I thought it would be fun to share a wine that would pair well with grilled foods. I searched for a Spanish red, as they tend to be bold and I knew would hold up well to grilled flavors. I tried a few and we found this Ribera del Duero fits the bill! It is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon (80/20, respectively).
Appearance
This red wine is deep garnet in color, but not opaque, and has many legs from its higher alcohol content of 14%.
Smell
It has a lovely bouquet. Derek and I both smelled black pepper and fresh wood, while Derek also smelled cherry.
Taste
While the finish of this wine is smooth, it still has a bold flavor. It’s a 2010 so it’s had time for the tannins to mellow. It has an undertone of coffee and berries. I think it would be perfect with a grilled steak or lamb chops (oooo, or a grilled pizza!). However, it’s mellow enough you could just drink it on its own. While I wouldn’t give it the “porch pounder” label, I would say it’s a wine I wouldn’t mind drinking on a mildly warm summer evening. 🙂
The wine was $20 at Costco.
What’s your favorite summer red?
