Toro Loco Tempranillo 2011 from the Utiel-Requena DOP Spain from ALDI.

Aldi has done it again !
This wine, Toro Loco Tempranillo 2011 is an IWSC silver medal ( International Wine and Spirits Challange - all wines tasted blind ) winner - and beat many wines 10 times its price, and what was the price - £3.59, and an absolute bargain! Many who have never been to Aldi, and have been put off by the thought of 'pile it high, sell it cheap' and cannot shop without 'brands' need to think again, yes it is cheap, but Aldi now use shelves not boxes on the floor, and they also do have some brands...... but..... I would say alot of the own branded ( or names you have never heard of) items are stunning quality, not all and I am sure they are always working towards perfection, and you can now do most of a weekly shop here at about half the price you pay in many other supermarkets! I tend to go to Aldi for the main items and then Waitrose for the specials - the system works well and I save alot of money and occasionally you come across a stunner at Aldi - such as this Toro Loco Tempranillo 2011 from the Utiel-Requena DOP Spain. Another wine worth trying is the Sparkling wine from the Jura.
Tempranillo is a grape variety that we associate with Rioja and Ribera del Duero, it produces some lovely red fruited, juicy wines,  and wow can it age well, often needing other grapes to help it on its way! This wine is from much further south in the Utiel-Requena region and I had expected it to have a high alcohol content, but it was only 12.5% - so bonus points there too!
Pop your nose in the glass and ripe red fruits hit you which include cherry and raspberry, but also crushed cranberry and some toasty spices, all these come through on the palate, bolstered by some black juicy fruits and vanilla. The finish is long and juicy red fruits with a slight bitter citrus edge - which keeps it fresh and clean and interesting. The savoury, tasty tannins remain intact and ripe, the acidity keeps the fruit fresh and the alcohol merely supports the clever structure of this wine - thankyou Aldi!