Alabaster Magnum 2025

Teso la Monja sits in Valdefinjas, in the Zamora corner of D.O. Toro, a winery built by the Eguren family of Sierra Cantabria in Rioja. Alabaster comes from ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, some over 130 years old, on the estate's 92 hectares. The continental climate is severe here, with extremely hot summers and very cold winters, and the wide day to night swing in late season fixes colour and acidity while the heat ripens Tinta de Toro to full phenolic maturity. Old vines crop little, which concentrates the fruit and tannin in each berry. Farming is low intervention and respectful of the land. The wine ages 18 months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the firm tannins and folds in vanilla, clove and a fine smoky edge. The colour is deep and inky. The nose leads with blackberry and dark plum over liquorice and toasted spice, and the palate is broad and structured, with ripe black fruit, savoury depth and tannins that carry a long finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged sheep's cheese.