This is made from 100% Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) grapes in the Toro D.O. in Spain. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, cassis, some anise and slight spice. Medium bodied. On the palate, strong acidity. Cassis and black cherry fruit. Nice finish. This is drinking a bit past prime it seems but still nice. It works better with food, A nice wine for Taco Tuesday. Drink up.
Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has a damp forest floor quality with black raspberries, and black cherries. On the palate, this is drinking quite well and much younger than its 15 years would suggest. It has shed most of its oak from its youth with plenty of fruit still left. It is ripe and jammy. Slight tannins mostly integrated at this point. Nice glycerin driven texture. Seems at or close to peak but no hurry. Slight warmth on the finish.
Of course, 2003 was an extremely hot vintage all across Spain. Some wines were over ripe while in other cases, the vines simply shut down causing under ripe wines. No worries here. This wine was excellent. Deep ruby in color if a bit flat. The nose is interesting. Dusty with cherries and black cherries and a hint of mint. On the palate, this has lush black cherries. Some initial heat but it smoothed out with a bit of air. It is a bit riper than most vintages but not too much. Drinking well now and for the next five to ten years.
This is in one heavy bottle. it is drinking beautifully right now but no hurry at all. Inky purple in color and opaque but bright. The nose has some pepper with black raspberries. Perhaps a slight hazelnut note. On the palate, this is showing some age and development in terms of complexity but it is lively and vibrant. Firm tannins and plenty of black raspberry fruit. Some black cherries on the finish. This drinks great alone and will work with heavier foods. It was $130 on release.
A perennial great value and this one was no exception. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose is a bit sweaty with nice cherry fruit. Also a slight minty note. On the palate, this has deep cherry fruit. A sort of root beer quality creeps in which is interesting. Medium tannins. Nice finish. Still youthful, this should have five to ten more years and will develop tertiary notes. Will work with bigger foods right now.
Another great wine from this winery. Purple in color, slight ruby at the rim. The nose is very tight at first. With air it shows some black cherry and spice. On the palate, delicious black cherry fruit. Showing quite young. Firm tannins. This bottle would have been better served being decanted for an hour or so. There is still some upside development to go which is impressive at 15 years from vintage. Works well on its own or needs bigger foods. Should be good for another 15 years.
