Bodega Matsu Wine Tasting

Toro was one of the great discoveries on our trips in the search for vineyards. In 2005 we found ourselves among the largest number of centenary and pre-phylloxera vineyards we had ever seen, with sandy soils perfect for the vine and an ideal continental climate to prevent the onset of diseases. All these conditions have led to the maintenance of ancestral viticulture, based on respect for natural rhythms. But, without a doubt, the most unique thing we found in Toro were its wine growers, men and women with an emotional attachment to the land, to which they have dedicated effort, wisdom, respect and sacrifice for generations. That is why they are the face of the wines of Bodega Matsu, a Japanese word that means “wait” and conveys the philosophy of this project. Wait for nature to take its course, for the vineyards to turn 100, wait for the perfect moment to open a bottle of wine.

With El Pícaro, El Recio and El Viejo our aim was to elaborate wines that retain the traditional power of the Toro vineyards, but combine it with the freshness and elegance that characterizes all our wines.

EL PÍCARO 2020

Strength, nerve and courage.

Varieties: 100% Tinta de Toro

Vineyard: Selection of Tinta de Toro vineyards settled in sandy soils with high granitic stony component. and cultivated naturally.

Harvest: Manual harvest between September 14 and October 6, using boxes and small trailers.

Winemaking: Fermentation and maceration in small concrete tank (15,000 kg), with natural yeasts, avoiding surpassing 24ºC. It is a wine with soft filtering and non-aggressive clarification, to preserve its natural characteristics.

Aging: Two months of aging on its lees in concrete tank.

Alcohol Content: 14,5% Vol.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Colour: Purplish color with a great depth, denoting its youth.

Nose: Aromas of fruits, jelly beans, blackberry jam stand out, very well nuanced with a touch of licorice, which gives it a spicy character and complexity.

Palate: Intense and powerful mouth, with a very pleasant entry thanks to its sweet character.

TASTING NOTES

Very balanced year, with a dry winter and rainfall in spring and early summer. Towards the end of summer, at the key moment for the grape, the temperatures were mild. The rains put winegrowers on guard in September. However, these precipitations helped to avoid excessive concentration, achieving moderate alcohol content and a lot of balance.

El RECIO 2019

Perfect balance between youth and ripeness.

Varieties: 100% Tinta de Toro.

Vineyard: Selection of 90 years old Tinta de Toro vineyards with limited production settled in sandy soils with high granitic stony component. and cultivated naturally.

Harvest: Manual harvest carried out between September 22 and October 15.

Winemaking: Maceration for 14 days. Spontaneous fermentation in 15,000 kg concrete tanks with native yeast. The malolactic fermentation takes place in these same tanks. Soft filtering and non-aggressive clarify to preserve its natural characteristics.

Aging: Aprox 14 months in second use French and Eastern European oak barrels.

Alcohol Content: 14,5% Vol.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Colour: Ruby Red color.

Nose: Tertiary aromas from the barrel, with notes of vanilla, pastries, cocoa and coconut. At the same time, it maintains freshness as fruit notes also dominate, especially red fruits and strawberry tones.

Palate: Very balanced mouth, and full of complexity. Pleasant entry and very good tannic structure, with silky, velvety tannins: This combined with very good acidity gives it length.

TASTING NOTES

2019 was a dry year, resulted in a short harvest in terms of quantity, yet the quality of the fruit was excellent. Thanks to the low humidity of spring and summer, the health of the grapes has been spectacular.

EL VIEJO 2019

The extreme complexity that only centenary vineyards contribute.

Varieties: 100% Tinta de Toro.

Vineyard: Selection of the best grapes, that come from very old vineyards of extremely limited production, more than 100 years old and cultivated naturally. Sandy soils with high granitic stony component.

Harvest: Manual harvest carried out between September 22 and October 15.

Winemaking: Maceration during 2 weeks. Spontaneous fermentation in 15,000 kg concrete tanks with native yeast. The malolactic fermentation takes place in these same tanks. Soft filtering and non-aggressive clarify to preserve its natural characteristics.

Aging: 16 months in new French oak barrels.

Alcohol Content: 15% Vol.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Colour: Deep cherry red color, intense depth, with violet notes on the edge.

Nose: Complexity taken to the extreme, with medium intensity but enormously rich in nuances. Denotes an elegant compendium of aromas of ripe black fruits, accompanied by creamier and sweeter nuances of the barrel, and some spicy final notes.

Palate: Very pleasant, its smooth fullness and voluptuousness are noteworthy on the palate. It is also very complex in the mouth, denoting excellent ripening and low yielding grapes from old vineyards.

TASTING NOTES

2019 was a dry year, resulted in a short harvest in terms of quantity, yet the quality of the fruit was excellent. Thanks to the low humidity of spring and summer, the health of the grapes has been spectacular.

LA JEFA 2018

The charisma of a daring surprise.

Varieties: Malvasía and other varieties.

Vineyard: There are very few plots where the white grape predominates in the DO Toro, that is why La Jefa comes from a selection of a multitude white vines that are found alternately in old red grape vineyards (from 50 to 150 years old). The vines settle on sandy soils with a high granite stony component and are cultivated naturally as the tradition of Toro says.

Harvest: The harvest began on September 24 and was carried out manually.

Winemaking: Mminimal intervention winemaking. Maceration with the skins for 4 hours, soft pressing and static racking. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in new 600-liter French oak barrels, where it remains in contact with the fine lees.

Aging: 14 months in new 600 l French oak “bocoyes” (big barrels), lightly toasted.

Alcohol Content: 13% Vol.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Colour: Straw yellow color, medium intensity, very bright, gray overtones.

Nose: Highly complex, notes of vanilla and ripe stone fruits stand out, accompanied by creamy notes. It is complemented with slight aniseed nuances, to reflect a nose harmonized by its aging in casks, sweet character and with a great diversity of nuances.

Palate: A mouth-filling, silky wine, great creaminess and very pleasant. But at the same time with good acidity, resulting in a very balanced and elegant wine. Very pleasant on the palate, where sweet nuances and fine texture stand out, increasing its complexity and richness.

TASTING NOTES

Very wet year, especially in spring, and with lower temperatures than usual. Thanks to the heat in the final phase of ripening, the grapes arrived at the winery with excellent quality and an unbeatable sanitary condition. Lighter and finer wines because of the cool cycle. Lighter and finer wines because of the cool cycle.

Host or Publisher Gwen Tajz Wine Bar