Bajoz Roble 2017

If you’ve yet to hear of the tiny Spanish region of Toro … you’ve come to the right place for a proper introduction.

The wines of Toro have been famous in Spain for centuries, and were considered so important, they were included on the manifest for Columbus’ first voyage to the New World. Your taste also crossed an ocean to be here, but by way of the dynamic (and multi-award-winning) estate, Félix Solís.

Bajoz—named after a tributary of the mighty Duero River—is pure Tempranillo (aka Tinta de Toro), which flourishes in the region’s intense, arid heat and sandy soils. It’s juicy, fruit-forward, and full-throttle in the glass, with intense cherry and ripe strawberry notes; three months’ rest in American oak barrels gives just a touch of smoky vanilla. Pair it up with a hearty but simple meal like pork roast or beef stew.

One last word: If it came from Toro’s famous neighbor, Ribera del Duero (where Tempranillo is also the star), Bajoz would sell for nearly double the price; we recommend you get in now, before the rest of the world catches on.