Bodegas Teso La Monja
Taking Toro to the next level
June 7, 2024
A recent tasting of current vintages reminded me how balanced and well-crafted the tempranillos from Bodegas Teso La Monja are and how incredibly well they drink. I love these Tempranillos for their seamless texture, complexity of flavors, and pure enjoyment
Teso La Monja was founded in 2007 by Marcos and Miguel Angel Eguren, the fourth winemaking generation of the Eguren family of Rioja Alavesa, where they have been growing Rioja Tempranillo since the late 1800s. The family fell in love with the Toro region on the Duero River northwest of Madrid. They were seduced by the region’s ingrafted vines of Tinta de Toro, said to be Tempranillo’s original clone.
The Egurens founded Bodegas Numanthia, the avatar of the resurrection of Toro as one of Spain’s preeminent wine regions. In 2007, after they sold Numanthia, they founded Teso La Monja as the next step up – finding the elegance in the wines of Toro.
The family selected vineyards in the northernmost part of D.O. Toro with a much higher proportion of rounded stones, making for silky, elegant wines. Winemaker Marcos Eguren is considered by many to be the finest winemaker in Spain. His son, Eduardo Eguren, is the fifth generation and works as the winemaker at Teso La Monja.
2020 Bodegas Teso La Monja Almirez
The younger of the two wines is accessible, fresh from the first glass to the last—an excellent Tempranillo to have at the table and enjoy with food.
Aroma: aromas of anise, cassis, and black raspberry with toasted spices. Mouth: It has abundant, fine-grained tannins, providing a plush, velvety texture and spiciness, developing some mintiness with time in the glass. Rich, ripe black fruit flavors and subtle floral tastes of dried lavender and crushed violet. Ending with a satisfying finish that offers soft notes of cherry and spice. Excellent - Outstanding $38, Case $32.
2020 Bodegas Teso La Monja Victorino
This is a must-have for Tempranillo lovers —a robust red yet balanced with expert and finesse winemaking. You can notice the craftsmanship with the rich aromatics and seamless texture.
Aroma: Rich with intense black fruit notes, complemented by thyme, bay leaf, and cedar. Mouth: This is textured and balanced, with a mellow mouthfeel and abundant, slightly dusty, and chalky tannins. Chambord, Mission fig, mocha, anisette, and violet flavors. Followed by a dark chocolate and spiced cherry finish. A spectacular expression of the Tempranillo grape from some of Spain’s oldest Tempranillo vines. Outstanding $76, Case $65
You can mix any twelve of these wines at their case price discounts
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