Harvest 2013: Toro, Spain

Grape picking season 2013 has ended and it was a difficult year in Toro. Northern Spain had plenty of everything this season. Between the hail and rain, the grapes were put to the test and the best of the best survived. I have a very good feeling about this 2013 vintage of Tinta de Toro.

Most will argue that this year was not one of the best, and climatically speaking, this is true. I’ll argue and even bet how great this vintage will be in the future. Like most outstanding wine vintages, the season dictates how the grapes develop and more importantly, how good the wine will turn out. With the right combination of warmth, sun, and water, grapes will shine and tell a great story in the bottle.

I’ve discovered along the way that it’s the harsh seasons that builds character and robustness in grapes, allowing for even better grape evolution and developed tastes way after the season has ended. Ten years from now, I’d like to believe the Gran Reserva I’ve bottled this year will tell us how great of a year 2013 really was!

Some great wines from Toro D.O.
– San Roman
– Numathia