XO Wine Tempranillo

XO Wine Co Tempranillo 2023 from the Adelaide Hills is a small‑batch, high‑elevation red that leans into savoury complexity as much as fruit – medium‑bodied, aromatic and very much in the modern, food‑friendly Tempranillo camp. XO Tempranillo 2023 feels like a thoughtful, autumnal Hills red.

Expect a bouquet of crushed autumn leaves, porcini mushroom, cinnamon spice, dried cranberry, salted plum and licorice, echoing the brooding dark fruits and wild‑mint notes seen in earlier XO Tempranillo releases. The palate is medium‑bodied with high alcohol for warmth, showing very fruity yet savoury layers – dark fruits, dried cranberry and salted plum over mild oak spice, wild mint and earthy nuance – supported by medium tannins and keen acidity that keep everything lively and food‑ready.

It’s tailor‑made for roast meats, T‑bone steak, charred pork chops, chorizo and grazing platters on a cool autumn afternoon, where its mix of dark fruit, spice and savoury notes can really shine. XO Wine Co Tempranillo 2023 is vegan‑friendly, produced in tiny volumes and pitched as a characterful alternative red for drinkers who like their wines a little wild and textural.