2023 Teso La Monja Romanico

Winery Teso La Monja

After selling the iconic Numathia-Termes winery to the LVMH Group, the Eguren brothers are returning to Toro Eguren with a new winery, Teso La Monja. The Romanico is a new wine from Teso Monja, known for wines like Almirez, Victorino, Alabaster, and of course, the iconic Teso La Monja. In Toro, the estate focuses on reinterpreting Tinta de Toro, the local version of Tempranillo, with greater emphasis on freshness, balance, and elegance. Their philosophy combines meticulous vineyard management with restrained vinification, always maintaining the character of the region.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Toro, located in Castilla y León, has a distinctly continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The vineyards are situated on a high plateau with sandy, clay, and gravelly soils that produce low yields and concentrated fruit. Compared to Rioja, Tempranillo is riper and more expressive in style here. The warm 2023 vintage required rigorous selection to preserve freshness and balance.

Romance within the domain

Románico is the estate's most accessible wine, made from grapes from younger vines. It's intended as a direct and pure expression of Toro, emphasizing fruit, texture, and drinkability. Within the range, Románico serves as a clear introduction to the Teso La Monja style, without heavy extraction or dominant oak influences.

Vineyards

The grapes come from younger vineyards within the estate's estate. The soils consist of a mix of sand, clay, and stone, which contributes to aromatic clarity and a smooth tannin structure. Strict selection was applied in 2023, resulting in a lower yield and a production.

Grape varieties and composition

The wine is made entirely from Tinta de Toro, the local variety of Tempranillo. This grape is known for its deep color, ripe fruit expression, and natural structure. In Románico, this power is deliberately restrained to keep the wine accessible and balanced.

Harvest, vinification and maturation

The harvest took place under warm conditions, with careful selection to prevent overripeness. After fermentation, the wine was aged for six months in used French oak barrels. This restrained oak aging provides roundness and structure without masking the fruit. The wine was bottled in December 2024.

Color, smell and taste

The wine has a deep purple-red color with youthful intensity. The aroma reveals ripe notes of strawberry, plum, and dark berry fruit, complemented by hints of peach and a light spice. On the palate, the wine is juicy and supple, with a velvety texture and very fine tannins. The fruit takes center stage, supported by fresh acidity that provides liveliness and balance. The finish is remarkably long and clean for this style and price point.

Development and drinking window

Románico 2023 is meant to be enjoyed relatively young, yet possesses sufficient balance to continue to develop. Professional reviews suggest various drinking windows, ranging from 2025 to 2029 and from 2028 to 2040, depending on storage conditions and desired degree of aging.

Summary of professional reviews

Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate awarded the wine 92 points, praising its accessibility, aromatic expression, and velvety structure, while retaining the character of Toro. Joaquín Hidalgo also awarded it 92 points, highlighting the juicy fruit, refined tannins, and remarkable length. Both reviewers consider Románico 2023 a modern, balanced, and very drinkable interpretation of Tinta de Toro.

The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.