Author: Dirk Chan
Our online feature this week is the Bodega Ramon Ramos Tardencuba Crianza (Toro, Spain) – $27.49, regularly $34.99.
The Ramon Ramos is a 35 minute drive SE of Zamora in the NW Spain. The estate dates from the 13th-century, the cellar, had and still has all the necessary conditions for preserving and aging great wines. Combining modern technology with the wisdom passed down from their ancestors allows their wines to retain their timeless character while adapting to contemporary tastes.
Our weekly special this week is their Tardencuba Crianza made from 100% Tinta de Toro (Temperanillo) planted in vase-shaped containers in very poor sandy and stony soils with small production per hectare and harvested by hand. Intense red color with a garnet rim and very aromatic, with ripe red fruits with notes of black plum, and hints of cherries with a subtle and integrated touch of oak. Powerful and full-bodied yet smooth with a balanced entry, and a lingering aftertaste that shows some tannins but with fine acidity that invites another sip. Decant for 1/2 hour and definitely pair with grilled meats, game dishes, cured meats, smoked foods, and aged cheeses; it can also accompany chocolate desserts.
Prost everyone!
Bodega Ramon Ramos Tardencuba Crianza (Toro, Spain) – $27.49, regularly $34.99.