Bodegas Ordóñez, Toro DO (Castilla y León, Spain) Tempranillo 2016

 Vatan is a pure representation of the Toro style from the oldest clone of Tempranillo in Spain and hails from some of the oldest un-grafted vines in the country.  Full-bodied, rich, and dense, this explodes with notes of blackcurrant, fig, cocoa, crushed violet, and ground pepper.  The palate is coated with powerful yet ripe tannins.  Most remarkable is the freshness and balance for wine so dense.  This effort will put most reds from Napa, Tuscany, and Bordeaux to shame at its $35 price tag.