Great Red Wine Values from Spain: Ercavio Roble Tempranillo and Luzon Jumilla

Spain is creating some awesome red wine values today. Let's explore two low-cost entrants demonstrating the attributes of very different grapes:

Review: In the glass, Ercavio Roble Tempranillo, 2005, is medium deep red, ruby at the edge.

Aromas are moderately powerful, mostly reminding of grape Kool-Aid with a pinch of oak dust.

On the palate, a hint of Welch's grape-aid remains, but wrapped in a comfortable robe of catchy tannins and a touch of acid. Fills the cavities of your mouth and brings those grapes into a long finish. Touch of blueberry. Two stars, because I wouldn't rush to seek it out again, with a plus for its promising finish.

Jay Miller of Wine Advocate was pretty enthusiastic, awarding 90 points and calling this "a remarkable value." He suggested storing for two to three years.

Updated review, one year later: Color and aromas are consistent with the tasting a year and a half ago, including the grape kool-aid elements. On the sip, the wine has settled into a dark, slightly acidic, blueberry-tinged entrant, with more acids and less tannins filling out the healthy finish. Matured slightly, I'd still hold the Ercavio Roble Tempranillo at 2 plus stars. Still great for dry red grape juice fans. At one and a half stars above its price point, this hits good value status.

Find Ercavio Roble at WineZap.

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Review: Luzon Jumilla Red Wine, 2006, is from a family owned winery in the scenic valley ofLa Hoya de la Carrasca, southeast of Madrid, Spain. The region is characterized by warm days and cool nights, light rain and a chalky, gravelly soil.

In the glass, Luzon is medium deep red, with magenta highlights right at the edge of the glass. Aromas are hints of cherry candy, violets and helium, with a wisp of black smoke.

On the palate, the mid-palate comes first into prominence, with a bold, full stone-cherry fruit, somewhat lush with an alcoholic lift. Acids and light tannins mold out the experience, bringing just a light pucker to the cheeks. Finishes a bit hot, but the wine has stuffing to age for a couple more years. Generally works, and I would award three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale.

Available at a bargain price point, the Luzon Red is a best value with its three stars.

Robert Parker awarded 88 points to the 2006 Luzon Red and suggested that it be consumed over the next several years.

Find Luzon Jumilla at WineZap.