2008 Jacobs Creek Tempranillo

It was a typical summer's day in Melbourne with the temperature hovering around the 45° C mark: a group of enthusiastic wine writers were enjoying a tasting with Bernie Hickin and the team from Pernod Ricard before retiring to watch the men's semi-finals of the Australian Open. Well, it was pretty hot with the air-conditioning going full blast. Still, we were surviving well when the unthinkable happened: the air-conditioning broke down. We tried ice blocks in the wine and other methods of survival but found it a trifle hot to sample the wines and retired early to the tennis. Fortunately, I've recently retasted this 2008 Jacobs Creek Tempranillo (in a bracket of 14 similar Aussie tempranillos) and have somewhat more comprehensive notes than I managed to take in January. This is a terrific early-drinking red: gorgeously aromatic, light to medium-bodied with rich, concentrated dark berry flavours, fleshy, almost velvety texture: vibrant and powerful with attractive floral tannins.

Rating: Bloody Good 

Cost: $
11.40

Winemaker: Bernie Hickin

Wide availability in all Australian states. www.jacobscreek.com

Reviewed: 8 May 2009