Terra d’Uro Selección 2019

Terra d'Uro Selección is a red from D.O. Toro, made from Tinta de Toro, the local Tempranillo, on around seven hectares of low-density vineyard. The vines range widely in age, from fifteen-year-old plantings to ungrafted pre-phylloxera plots over 140 years old, the oldest of which give tiny yields of deeply concentrated fruit. Toro is a hot, dry, high continental plateau, and its sandy soils and old vines produce wines of dark colour and considerable power. Farming follows respectful, sustainable methods, and the whole process is done by hand: grapes are picked into small boxes, sorted off the bunch, and fermented in small tanks with daily pump-overs to extract colour and tannin gently. The wine is then aged for sixteen months in French oak barrels, which builds structure and adds spice and a darker, savoury tone. It is opaque, dark ruby. The nose shows black plum, blackberry, cocoa and liquorice, with pepper and an earthy, mineral edge over toasty oak. The palate is full-bodied and firmly tannic, ripe and dense, with fresh acidity holding the weight in balance and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant. It suits robust roast and grilled meats.