Winemaker Notes
Vatan is the pure representation of the oldest clone of Tempranillo in Spain, from some of the oldest ungrafted vines in the country, located in the only Spanish D.O. that completely resisted the phylloxera plague. During the Middle Ages, Toro was Spain’s most famous winemaking region. Mentioned in literature by Alfonso IX (King of León, 12th c.), Juan Ruiz the Archpriest of Hita, Quevedo, Luis de Góngora, and Miguel de Cervantes. In 14th Century Sevilla, the sale of any foreign wine was prohibited, save the wines of Toro. These wines accompanied Spanish explorers to the New World. D.O. Toro was rediscovered in the 1990's by the Numanthia project, masterminded by Jorge Ordóñez and the Eguren family.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from an even, balanced vintage that suffered from hailstorms, the 2019 Vatan is another beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, rich yet elegant red that has so much to love. Cassis, graphite, spicy oak, and violet notes all define the aromatics, and it has ripe yet building tannins and a great finish.
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James Suckling
Attractive aromas of blueberries and blackberries with hints of licorice, vanilla, cardamom and herbs. Juicy and crunchy on the palate with firm tannins and a creamy mouth-feel. Seamless and even with a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
Finely knit and elegant, this has supple tannins structuring a dark, ripe mix of black currant and black plum fruit, with accents of bay leaf, rose hip and sandalwood. Medium- to full-bodied without being weighty, with hints of loamy earth and mocha echoing on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 3,500 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Vatan Tinta de Toro is a firm and well-built red wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine excels with aromas and flavors of savory spices, sandalwood, licorice, and black fruits. Enjoy it with grilled short ribs. (Tasted: August 27, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
Verdejo is one of Spain’s most historic white grapes, as it has been in production since the Roman times, several thousand years ago. After over fifteen years as the lead producer of quality Verdejo in Spain, Ordóñez chose Puras, Valladolid, as the best appellation within Rueda for growing Verdejo. This isolated corner of the D.O. is home to sandy soils intermixed with river stones that were deposited tens of thousands of years ago when the Duero river was several hundred miles wide. Due to the sandy soils, this sub-appellation of Rueda, shaped like Italy’s boot, resisted the phylloxera. Bodegas Ordóñez takes advantage of this unique terroir to produce wine from its ungrafted vineyards, the oldest of which was planted in 1885. Jorge’s philosophy is to age all of their wines sur lie and barrel fermented in both stainless steel and large format, mostly used French oak.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
Spain's remote, high elevation Spanish wine zone between the regions of Bierzo and Ribera del Duero produces intense, full-bodied reds made from Tempranillo, locally called Tinta de Toro. This local variant has adapted to the region’s climatic extremes and recognizing its potential, top producers from Ribera del Duero and Rioja have invested heavily in its vineyards.