Vetus 2023

Vetus is a red from D.O. Toro in the northwest of Castilla y León, made from Tinta de Toro, the local strain of Tempranillo. The estate selects old vines over 30 years of age, which yield fewer but more concentrated grapes, and works only the strongest plots. Toro sits on a high continental plateau where hot, dry summers and sharply cold nights produce thick-skinned grapes rich in colour and tannin, while the wide diurnal range keeps acidity in a wine that naturally reaches 14.5 percent. Sandy and stony soils give good drainage and force the vines to root deep. The wine ages twelve months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange softens Toro's powerful tannins and adds toffee, vanilla and a creamy, lactic nuance from malolactic fermentation in barrel. The colour is deep, dense ruby. The nose opens on stewed black fruit, liquorice and toffee over creamy oak spice. The palate is full-bodied and robust, with firm, ripe tannins and a long, warming finish marked by dark chocolate and pepper. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant. It is built for grilled and roasted red meat.