Teso la Monja - Victorino 2012
Almost inky; with a tight ruby rim. Rich bouquets of flowers; clean and brooding cassis; violet-flavoured candies; the tones of tar and liquorice, leather; a whiff of fresh cream; cherry liqueur. Quite modern. The palate reflects the nose with intense black cherry/blackberries; leather, cedar and umami. Full-bodied, with ample tannins and excellent acidity, the finish is a firm, old world stylistics with some elegance. Perhaps the stylistics is more Ribera del Duero. From the top vintage 2012, this wine ages well.
"Teso" in Spanish means hilltop, pointing to the saddles in between. "la Monja" is a nun. The winery, located on a 'saddle' and with a design looked similar to an abbey, is square shaped with a large patio.
The story behind Teso is Eguren family's new vision in Toro. Their objective is to create more elegant, structured wines which maintain the true essence of the Tinta de Toro grape variety, according to Wine Direct UK. With ten years of experience behind them, the better understanding of the area, soil, climate and type, the Egurens have purchased very specific north facing vineyards, which are higher in altitude, have fresher grounds and therefore a lower alcohol content, which is still 14.5%, for this 2012 wine.
The young parcels of 15-30 years old and go into the Almirez. The 45 year plus vines(some over 70 years) reserve for Alabaster and Victorino. To traders, Victorino is the new NumanthiaI(sold to LVMH in 2006 by the Eguren Family), while its little brother is called Almirez and its big brother (the new Termanthia) is Alabaster.
This vineyard Teso la Monja - Victorino treated with maximum Eguren care and attention in the way if the big brother Alabaster has everything hand-picked into small boxes to avoid crushing. Yields are tiny (between 10-20 hl/ha). Barrel fermentation and ageing takes place in French oak barrels, hence the style.
It is already not easy to find award of 95+points to Spanish wines by world commentators. When a Spanish wine is rate high like 98 and 99 points by fellow Spaniards, it really means something. Peñín Guide of the wines of Spain awarded it 98 points(from Tomas Blog); also Guia Gourmets Wine Guide 99 points(2018). This will be an excellent buy.
