Vetus 2011 Front Bottle Shot
Vetus 2011 Front Bottle Shot Vetus 2011 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Bodegas Vetus was created in 2003 with the purchase of a 20 hectare property by the Anton family, proprietors of Finca Villacreces in Ribera del Duero and Izadi in Rioja Alavesa. The vineyard is planted with 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), in a poor soil which produces low yields of concentrated grapes. The hot and dry climate of Toro produces unmistakably big wines that many producers try to tame them with plenty of new oak. The harder path, and the one Vetus has taken, is to restrain the natural rusticity of the terroir and to promote balance and elegance in the finished wines. To achieve this they are careful to harvest grapes that are not over ripe, prevent excessive extraction during winemaking and employing a greater proportion of second and third-fill barrels for the aging of their wines.

Professional Ratings

  • 90
    The 2011 Vetus is pure Tinta de Toro from vineyards surrounding the winery. It matured in oak barrels (50/50 French and American) for one year. The oak is nicely integrated into the wine, and the nose shows ripe berries and some earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied with very nice balance, fine tannins and good acidity; it is sleek, polished, approachable and easy to drink. 40,000 bottles.
  • 90
    The 2011 Vetus Red Wine is an excellent example of the Toro region of Spain. At their best, the wines show bright fruits that are pleasing and straightforward, and those descriptors are what this wine is all about! Drinks well now. ((Tasted: November 11, 2016, San Francisco, CA )
Vetus

Vetus

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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.

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Toro

Spain

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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.

SWS411480_2011 Item# 156957