Teso la Monja 2018

Teso la Monja sits at the top of the Eguren family range in Valdefinjas, within D.O. Toro. The family came from Rioja and brought a long vineyard tradition with them, settling in Toro for its old ungrafted Tinta de Toro, a thick-skinned local strain of Tempranillo. The vines grow on poor sandy soils over a continental plateau, where wide diurnal swings between hot days and cold nights slow ripening and fix colour and acidity in fruit that would otherwise turn jammy at 15% alcohol. Sandy ground also kept phylloxera at bay, so many vines survive on their own roots. The wine spends 24 months in French oak, a long elevage that softens the grape's naturally robust phenolics through slow oxygen exchange and lays down spice and structure for the cellar. It is deep and near opaque, with a nose of black plum, cherry, liquorice and cracked pepper over leather and toasted oak. The palate is full and dense, carried by ripe but substantial tannin and a long savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged hard cheese.