This wine is from the lesser known region called Toro. It is nestled in the north-west of the country, to the west of Ribera del Duero and 65km from the Portuguese border. The back bone of the region is 'Tinta de Toro' or 'red of Toro' which is very very very very closely related to Tempranillo. When I was doing my research I couldn't quite find consensus about whether they are the same grape or whether they are almost identical twins. Either way, if you are a fan of Tempranillo, this is one to try.
 
So what makes this different to wines you might find from more famous regions like Rioja? Well, Toro is a pretty barren place. It has blisteringly hot summer days but big fluctuations in temperatures from day to night thanks to the altitude. This allows the grapes to ripen nicely whilst also not be put under the continuous stress of the heat. It also experiences some pretty strong winds which is great for organic farming as it keeps the vines dry, but it does also put them under stress which might lower yields but produces more intensity in the grapes.
 
These geographical influences create wines that are deep and dark in colour, with good tannic structure. Like much of Spain, oak aging is important to the region. Whilst some wines spend a lot of time in oak (your Reservas/Gran Reservas), this week's wine is a Roble which means it spends a maximum of 6 months in oak. This helps soften and round the wine, whilst still keeping it fresh.
 
What else will you find in the bottle? Well it is a wine full of dark fruits, with subtle notes of coconut and vanilla from that brief time in oak. It is velvety and smooth and will work wonders with roasted red meats. It will also be very happy with cheese, particularly hard cheese like Manchego and Cheddar.
 
14.5% ABV
75cl