2013 Maurodos San Roman

Tinta de Toro. The soils are sandy, clayey and stony. 40-year-old vines at 700–800 m elevation. Hand harvested in small cases. Each of the plots is vinified separately in stainless-steel tanks. Old and new French and American oak barrels are used for 24 months' ageing. No fining or filtering. Tasted blind. Very extreme in terms of ripeness showing sweet black fruit, toasted oak and cherry brandy. The nose is generous, concentrated and sweet scented. Very dense and big on the palate, firm tannins still to be mellowed, quite inky and impressive in texture. It is well filled with sweet fruit. Massive, warm and good for cellaring. (FC)

(aged for two years in 75 percent French and 25 percent American oak barrels, half of them new) Inky purple. Heady cherry, dark berry, vanilla and violet pastille qualities on the oak-accented nose. At once rich and energetic; a firm spine of acidity provides lift to sweet cassis, blueberry and vanilla flavors. Closes with youthful tannic grip and impressive persistence, leaving dark berry and licorice candy notes behind.

The 2013 San Roman was produced with fruit from older vineyards in Toro. In 2012 they started reducing the amount of the new oak in this wine and the change is quite noticeable. There is something leafy and floral showing elegance within the power that the place provides naturally. 2013 was quite different in Toro from Ribera del Duero, here the cooler years are a plus, as they balance the extra ripeness the place provides. In 2013 there was no rain during the harvest and the grapes were very healthy. There are some fine tannins and the profile of a more austere and transparent vintage, a mineral year. But it does have the smokey and slightly wild character of Toro. 87,000 bottles produced. Mar 2017, www.robertparker.com