Bodegas Teso la Monja "Romanico" Toro D.O. 2021
(Castilla Leon, Spain) - [VM 92]

Notes from the Winemaker:
The Eguren family of Teso la Monja are one of D.O. Toro's most important pioneers, having cofounded Bodega Numanthia-Termes with Jorge Ordóñez in 1997. Numanthia was the first exhaustive fine wine project to resuscitate Toro since before phylloxera. Toro is one of Spain's most historic winemaking regions. Tempranillo originated in the Duero Valley, and many ampelographers believe that it originated in Toro, where it is known as Tinta de Toro. These ancient clones of Tempranillo were responsible for Toro being celebrated as Spain's finest winemaking region during the Middle Ages. Toro was also Spain's only region to completely resist phylloxera due to its sandy soils. Teso la Monja is the Eguren family's new interpretation of Toro after Numanthia, where they sought to produce a more refined and restrained expression of Toro by focusing on northern facing vineyard sites planted on clay soils covered in canto rodado.

Location & Vineyard:
Valdefinjas. Ungrafted and grafted vineyards planted on high density trellises in the vineyards of Valdefinjas and Toro.

Origin of the grapes:
Proprietary vineyards situated in Valdefinjas and Toro (Zamora) Variety: Tinta de Toro (100%). Autochthonous, perfectly adapted to the climate and soil. Organic fertilization. Viticulture respectful with the environment, with the minimal intervention, a perfect adaptation to the terroir and with no use of herbicides or quimical products. Exclusively manual with rigorous selection of the fruit in optimal health and ripeness conditions at the vineyard and at the winery, by means of a sorting table.

Vinification:
Traditional method, 100% de-stemmed, with light pump-overs during fermentation.
Alcoholic fermenation at 26-28 ºC with selective yeast from our own vineyards.
Post-fermentative maceration during 18 days.
Malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels and tank.

Variety: Tinta de Toro (100 %).

Aging: 6-8 months in French oak barrels.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Románico, sourced from Toro with 30% of the wine aged for six months in barrels, displays a dark garnet hue. Its nose reveals enticing cherry, plum and violet aromas. Dry and rich on the palate, the firm tannins contribute to its taut mouthfeel, leading to a lasting Toro red." - Joaquin Hidalgo (Dec 2023)