Review: Raimat 2016 'Pirinenca' Tempranillo Costers del Segre Spain ($14)

I'm fortunate in that I have the opportunity to taste a lot of expensive, fairly precious wines that deserve a lot of attention, and I tend to give it to them. But sometimes I'd prefer to sip a satisfying, easy to drink wine that isn't terribly pretentious and doesn't require too much thinking. This is just that kind of wine. The Tempranillo grape is widely grown in Spain, but it really flourishes in the northern areas of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Costers del Segre is a bit farther east, just inland from Barcelona. Wines from Costers del Segre tend to be very good values, with a bit more focus and crispness than wines from farther inland and farther south. Raimat is easily one of the biggest brands from Costers del Segre. The wine itself sees just 12 months in oak and has fresh, velvety plum, cherry and red currant flavors with subtle hints of smoke and coffee. Slightly more generous than medium bodied, but very much translucent, you can serve this wine with just about anything. At this price it's a steal, and a nice step up from some of the cheapest Spanish wines you can find in a retail shop these days. Highly recommended. (88 Points)