Wine Details
Vintage: 2022
Alcohol: 14.4%
pH: 3.72
TA: 5.9 g/L
Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/L (Dry)
Production: 420 cases
Bottle Price: $40
2022 Teddy Bear Tempranillo
Earthy, Food-Friendly, and Balanced
Winemaking
Harvest Date: September 28, 2022
Barrel Aging: 18 months
Oak: 45% new American oak, 55% neutral
Toast Level: Medium+
Fermentation: Traditional fermentation, 32 days on skins
Bottling Date: March 25, 2024
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep ruby-garnet with purple highlights. Full body with pronounced viscosity reflecting riper fruit concentration.
Nose
Rich aromatics of black cherry, plum, and raspberry jam. Pronounced notes of vanilla, coconut, and sweet tobacco from American oak. Layers of leather, cedar, dark chocolate, and warm baking spices with hints of dried figs and raisins.
Palate
Full-bodied with supple, rounded tannins. Concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, and blackberry are complemented by notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak. Mid-palate reveals leather, tobacco, cocoa, and sweet spices. The warm vintage produces generous fruit with excellent structure.
Finish
Long and expressive with persistent dark fruit and oak spice. Notes of vanilla, leather, and chocolate linger. This vintage showcases Tempranillo's ability to deliver richness and power while maintaining the variety's characteristic earthiness.
Food Pairing
This versatile Tempranillo pairs beautifully with:
Spanish Classics
Paella, chorizo, Manchego cheese, jamón ibérico, or patatas bravas
Grilled & Roasted
Lamb chops, roasted pork loin, grilled vegetables, or herb-crusted chicken
Comfort Food
Pasta with meat sauce, pizza, burgers with aged cheddar, or mushroom risotto
Vintage Notes
2022 was a warm, early vintage in Dry Creek Valley that favored Tempranillo. Consistent heat through the growing season accelerated ripening and concentrated sugars, resulting in riper fruit with dark fruit character. Early harvest captured optimal phenolic ripeness. The Clone 2A vines produced intensely flavored fruit with excellent color and tannin development, creating a more powerful expression of California Tempranillo.
Drinking Window
Peak: 2025-2030
Drinking beautifully now with its expressive fruit and will age gracefully through 2033.
Purchase This Wine
Available for purchase directly from Hillside Estate Winery
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