Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Red – A Tempranillo DEAL under $6

IT’S ALIVE!!!  Some wine-hating freak hacked Nickel and Dime Wine this weekend, but after a few hours on the phone with India, we’re back online and ready for a whole new set of deals.  I’m still dealing with some issues, like the fact that I can’t get a picture on this post, but I’m guessing you don’t read this blog for the pictures anyway.

It has been awhile since I have written up a low cost super value.  I think it’s time I revisit this category, because after all, when you drink cheaper wine on weekdays, you can spend more on the weekends.  Right?

This $5.99, 2009, 100% Tempranillo is an absolute budget blockbuster.  I have two things to say.  First, if your palate has priced you out of the under $10 market, stop yourself.   Second, after you stop yourself, run out and buy some of this.  It isn’t that difficult to find reasonably priced, very drinkable Tempranillo.  But $5.99 for this, really?  Really?  A typical bright Tempranillo nose is followed by a reasonably long finish full of cherry and berries.  This is a great wine to share with a few friends as a precursor to a big cab or full Syrah.  Pop a few bottles at a party and your wine-loving friends will appreciate the value (86 points from Wine Advocate), and your non-wine loving friends – are they really friends anyway?

We drank ours’ over two days and like so many offerings this one opened up and was even better on day two.  Somehow though, my opened bottles rarely see a day two…

Buy Here: Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Red $5.99

Wine Advocate 86 points

“The 2009 Protocolo Tinto is 100% Tempranillo aged for 3 months in seasoned American oak. Purple-colored, it displays a nose reminiscent of Beaujolais. Fruity and fresh on the palate, the finish has no hard edges. Drink it over the next 2 years. “