San Roman 2016

Drink now through 2028. No need to decant before serving.

This stunning wine from the up-and-coming Spanish region of Toro is crafted by talented winemaker Mariano García who served for three decades as technical director at the legendary Vega Sicilia estate in Ribera del Duero. Toro has long been overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour, Ribera del Duero, but now thanks to the hard work of Mariano and others the region is producing some of Spain’s most exciting powerful red wines from the Tempranillo grape.

In Toro the variety is known locally as Tinta de Toro and it thrives here in the tough continental climate with very hot summers and freezing winters. This bottling is crafted from 45 year old vines which are planted at 750 metres above sea level on a mixture of sandy and stony soils. In the winery Mariano vinifies each plot individually to give him maximum control over the finished bottling. The young wine is then aged in French and American oak barrels for 24 months.

The result is a powerful, richly concentrated wine with ample dark berry and plum character which linger long on the nose and palate. The first sip is rewarded with a very smooth texture, fine tannins and a muscular structure which will respond well to several years more of cellaring.