92POINTS
17/20
La Sorpresa Toneles del Patio NV
SpainThe wine region Sierra de Gredos, a 90 minute drive west of Madrid, is named for the neighbouring mountain range, and rests 650-1200 meters high. It's a hotbed for young, adventuresome winemakers recovering ancient vines (in sandy, slate, granite), and winemaking traditions. Rubén Díaz is one of the emblematic winemakers of the area, born and bred in Cebreros. The Sorpresa line is one such historic tradition in the area of aging and topping up dry / table wines in a solera system, usually for special occasions. Toneles del Patio is old vine garnacha from a solera born in 2010, in 500L barrels. After 4 years aging oxidatively in barrel the wine began to be topped up with similarly sourced and treated garnacha. This Saca (drawing from the barrel) is from 2020. Pouring a hazy chestnut / auburn hue, this is heady with oxidative waves of toasted almonds, golden raisins, browned butterscotch, orange oil, scented bergamot, stretching long across the palate, at once evenly savoury and sweet, while beguilingly neither. This dry wine is laced with ample salinity that lingers incredibly long on the palate. With the haunting grace of a fine oloroso, but markedly different, this is a fascinating wine to explore over the course of an evening. 17%.Tasted: 17 August 2022Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:BC | $48.00 | 750ml | select private retailers |
Grape: Grenache Noir/GarnachaCSPC: 75776