2016 Vatan Tinta de Toro – Christopher Columbus Ship Named La Pinta Brought Tinta de Toro to the New World in 1492!
Brief History of Tempranillo
photo credit of almost black Tempranillo grapes on the vine in Toro, Spain by Fabio Ingrosso
The name Tempranillo comes from the Spanish word temprano (meaning early), a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most other Spanish red grapes. That said most Tempranillo’s exhibit a big blackberry, leathery and a slight smoky aroma – an earthiness character.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wines from Toro, located in Northwest Spain and their noted Tempranillo wines, are especially known for coloration and boldness. The literal translation is “dark bull” – meaning this Tempranillo is not for the faint of heart! Tinta de Toro translates as “ink of Toro” or “bull’s ink” referring to its dark and brooding color. Toro is also an ancient wine-making town and region in Zamora, Spain.
Reproducción de la Carabela “La Pinta” en el Muelle de las Carabelas del Paraje de La Rábida, en Palos de la Frontera.
The Tinta de Toro Spanish grape dates to the 2nd century B.C. It was the drink chosen for Christopher Columbus’ trip to India when he discovered America. A fun fact is that so much wine was stored for the voyage in 1492, one of the ships was name “La Pinta” (pint) because the cellars of ship were full of this dark beautiful wine.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the 2016 Vatan Tinta de Toro, a large portion of the grapes come from a vineyard planted in 1943 with some coming from their renown 1910 vineyard. After fermentation the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 22 months. What comes out on the other side is a mouthful of wonderment! The 2016 vintage also came out at 15.5% alcohol adding to the robustness of this vintage. The 2016 vintage is hard to find and if found goes for around $50/bottle. The current vintage is 2023 and has scored 95 points.
Antonio Galloni stated it best in his review stating it is a “Dark purple. Fresh black and blue fruits, pipe tobacco and candied violet on the highly perfumed, smoke-accented nose. Fleshy, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering intense blueberry and cherry-vanilla flavors and an exotic touch of Indian spices. The spicy quality carries strongly through the finish, which clings with excellent tenacity and smooth, building tannins.”
Most California and other Tempranillo wines do not come close to this intensity. If you are looking for a “different big red wine” without the stark tannins, pick up a bottle of Tinta de Toro for a big, bold, exotic yet integrated wine.
Vatan Tinta de Toro has been a fixture for years in the cellar and has made my annual Best Wines Tasted list for many years. This 2016 will be on the 2026 list coming out in December.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Picked this wine tonight to enjoy with a creative Stuffed Pepper Casserole my wife created. The casserole ingredients included EVOO, chopped white onion, chopped jalapeño pepper, chopped garlic cloves, ground sausage and beef, black beans, roasted tomatoes, corn kernels, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, brown rice and different colored bell peppers. All this was combined with the meat and rice. She first browned the meat and then added the ingredients with a layer of meat/rice then shredded Cheddar cheese, then another layer of meat/rice and topped with cheddar cheese in a casserole dish to be baked.
The wine was chosen with its balanced structure and moderate tannins that harmonized with the savory meat and rice.
An excellent food and wine pairing!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com