Winemaker Notes
Blend: 90% Tinta de Toro, 10% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
While this is a bit scratchy and rugged up front, that's Toro in a nutshell. In the mouth, things are built like a brick house, while flavors of cassis and berry come with a medicinal note and chocolaty richness. Licorice, pepper and more chocolate flavor define the finish on this stout Tinta de Toro. Drink through 2018.
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Wine Spectator
This polished red exhibits harmonious flavors of black cherry, chocolate, licorice and mineral, with well-integrated tannins and fine acidity. Not showy, but retains depth and focus. Tinta de Toro and Garnacha.
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.