Tempranillo 2020

Cool, wet weather during flowering reduced the fruit set significantly. The rest of the growing season, however, was perfect, with a long Indian summer allowing the berries to ripen slowly, developing intense flavour and exceptional health. The Tempranillo was meticulously hand-harvested at an extraordinarily tiny yield of 500 g per vine, far below even the most elite Spanish Gran Reserva producers. The pure, physiologically ripe fruit, resulting in a wine of remarkable concentration, finesse, and character. 

Beautiful bunches were in the winery minutes after picking to be destemmed, leaving only the berries. The pure fruit underwent a long cold soak, gently extracting the compounds from skin and seeds. Fermentation began naturally, capturing the essence of the terroir, and was kept cool to allow prolonged extraction over several weeks. After gentle pressing, the wine matured for 36 months in used French oak barriques. With additional bottle aging, this Tempranillo achieves complexity and elegance on par with a top Spanish Reserva. No fining. No filtration. Purely natural. 

Deep, inky in the glass, this Tempranillo announces its intensity immediately. Ripe blackberries, bramble, and juicy dark plums are lifted by sweet cloves, violet, and a hint of black pepper. On the palate, velvety tannins and vibrant, savoury acidity carry the concentrated fruit across a long, seamless finish. Layers of dark berries, floral notes, and subtle spice add complexity, yet the wine remains balanced, precise, and pure, unmistakably Hans Herzog. With such exceptional concentration, this powerhouse promises years of evolution, rewarding patience with elegance, depth, and sheer presence. 

Therese’s pan-seared duck breast (recipe on our website) is a match made in heaven, but this powerhouse Tempranillo is equally at home with a perfectly grilled steak or smoky barbecue.