Abelis Carthago 'Fighting Bulls' Reserva

For those who aren’t familiar with the incredible Toro region, we can assure you that you won’t find another place that overdelivers on value like this little corner in northwestern Spain. Toro’s blazingly hot and dry continental climate kills off all but the toughest vines, and the few that survive end up producing wines that are incredibly deep, inky, and full-bodied. Some of the very best selections we’ve seen from Toro come from Abelis Carthago, a family-run estate that is setting the bar for outstanding craftsmanship.

Their ungrafted vines date back a whopping 120 years, making them some of the oldest vineyards not just in Toro, not just in Spain but in all of Europe. One sip of the wines and you’ll taste the difference: these ancient vines produce Tempranillo with unparalleled power and complexity, drawing comparisons to Napa Cabernets more than twice the price.

Fighting Bulls, one of the greatest expressions of Tempranillo we've ever tasted, really shows the Toro region at its finest. Intensely concentrated flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, espresso, and vanilla are complemented by anise and tobacco on the palate, which is full-bodied with leathery tannins and a long, savory finish.