Bodega Teso La Monja Teso la Monja Romanico 2020 750ml

The entry-level red 2020 Románico was produced with Tinta de Toro grapes from younger vines (10 to 35 years old, most of them grafted because it’s forbidden to plant ungrafted…) in the villages of Valdefinjas and Toro. It fermented in a traditional way, foot trodden and with soft pump-overs, with indigenous yeasts selected from their own vineyards and matured in used French oak barrels for six months but not for 100% of the volume, as they keep part of the wine unoaked and in stainless steel. It has 14.85% alcohol and a pH of 3.73. This is clean, juicy, modern and with a velvety and luxurious texture (a constant across the portfolio) with integrated oak. It’s a fresher vintage, a little in the style of 2014 or 2010. 95,100 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2022.

The 2022 Románico comes from the Toro region and is 100% Tinta de Toro. Juicy red and black fruits, peppery herbs, leather, and spicy notes define the aromatics, and it's round, supple, and fruit-forward, with a delicious, impeccably made style. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 4-5 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)

A lively, medium-bodied red, with flavors of blackberry and black plum fruit, tea leaf, graphite and mesquite layered with light, taut tannins. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. (Alison Napjus)