Region: Toro, Spain

Varietal: 100% Tempranillo

Tasting notes: Vatan is the pure representation of the oldest clone of Tempranillo in Spain, from some of the oldest ungrafted vines in the country, located in the only Spanish D.O. that completely resisted the phylloxera plague.Attractive aromas of blueberries and blackberries with hints of licorice, vanilla, cardamom and herbs. Juicy and crunchy on the palate with firm tannins and a creamy mouth-feel. Seamless and even with a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

Producer: Bodegas Vatan is a part of the Grupo Jorge Ordóñez. Founded in 2004, Grupo Jorge Ordóñez is select group of eight wineries that produce wines from grapes grown in thirteen different denominations of origin across Spain. All of the wineries are owned and operated by Jorge Ordóñez. Nacho Álvarez is the Technical Director and Head Winemaker for the Grupo. The philosophy of this project is the production of artisan wines from the oldest vineyards of Spain’s indigenous grapes. All of the vineyards are head-trained, dry farmed, and cared for with the most traditional means of viticulture. The wines are the ultimate representation of fine wine from the oldest clones of indigenous Spanish grape varieties.

Vineyard and Winemaking: Vatan comes from a single vineyard of ungrafted Tinta de Toro vines planted in 1900 called Finca Los Quemados. This vineyard, located near the miniscule village of Vallaester de Abajo, is planted in extremely poor sandy soils with a thin eight-inch layer of red clay ten feet below the surface, crucial for water retention. This vineyard site has a particularly long vegetative cycle due to the growing characteristics of the original Tinta de Toro clones and the altitude of 2,400ft. This altitude is responsible for phenomenal temperature swings between day and night. The continental steppe climate combines with the sandy soil to create a terroir that is responsible for the powerful, elegant, and mineral expression of Tinta de Toro. The vineyard is dry-farmed, without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides.