Nashdale Lane's Tempranillo 2022 brings a Spanish variety to Orange's cool, high-altitude vineyards, a combination that leans the wine toward the earthier, more savoury end of Tempranillo's range. The 2022 vintage was a cooler, wetter one across much of New South Wales, and this wine shows a touch more restraint for it, favouring savouriness over sheer ripeness.

Red cherry, dried tobacco and a savoury, earthy note lead the nose, with a light spice typical of the variety, a faint leathery edge and a hint of dried orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied and savoury, red fruit sitting alongside a distinct earthiness rather than pure fruit sweetness, and a fine tannic grip through the finish.

Tannin is fine-grained and the acid bright, carrying a moderate, savoury finish that lingers on dried herb and a touch of orange peel.

It suits Spanish-leaning food especially well: chorizo, a tomato-based stew, grilled lamb, a simple paella, or a board of cured meats and manchego.

This is drinking well now, in the fresh, savoury style the variety does best.