| 16.5 / 20 |
Region: Toro
Country: Spain
This taste note is our contribution for WBW#70, put together by the kind people at catavino.net, a great source for iberian wine info. The challenge was to taste a spanish wine, preferably from a lesser known region or grape. I admit to utterly failing the challenge, due to my lack of knowledge regarding spanish grapes. Tried to steer away from Rioja and Duero (chose Toro which is kind of ok) and from Tempranillo and Albariño. I was very satisfied when I came across a 95% Tinta de Toro, a grape I had never heard about. Maybe something indigenous to Toro? Well, not really. It's the name of Tempranillo when planted in Toro - something I found out after a quick web search... and after buying the bottle.
Deep dark ruby, the aromas are centered around ripe red fruits - cherries, some kirsch, strawberries even after some time. To the background, a oaky, vanilla impression helps the whole set come together in a consistent, balanced bouquet.
Tasting it, one finds a still very young and vibrant wine. Fresh, clear acidity along with some present (although not very hard) tannins, a stronger oaky feel than in the nose and ripe red fruit combine into a really nice tasting, which finishes with a nice spicy feel (I think I could taste some black pepper) that lingers for quite some time after the taste.
I think it would be rewarding to wait a couple of years for this wine and see how it comes along. The high acidity and the youth of the wine seem to indicate that it will grow.
And Spain just got added to the "Must learn more about" list.
Tasted on 2011-02-16
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