Wine diamonds positively lined the decanter. This was a little disconcerting, but we’ve written about this in the past as being a sign of natural and very good winemaking. (See .) Not only is it nothing to worry about, it is generally a harbinger of excellence. I’ve never seen wine diamonds to this extent, but this wine was my favorite of the three red-wine Torres samples sent to us, even though the Ibéricos Rioja is promoted on the winery Web site and this one isn’t. If you need a device to remind you which of the Torres wines this one is, it’s the one with the little plastic bull affixed to the top of the neck.
LABEL NOTES: In 1954 my father, Miguel Torres, was already seeking out the most prized grapes of the region to create a different wine that would express the authentic character of the land. This led to the birth of “Sangre de Toro,” whose name is inspired by Bacchus, Roman god of wine, known in ancient times as “Son of the Bull.” SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Perfect with stews, game, meat paellas and the most traditional mountain cuisine. Serve at 18° C [64-65° F].
WEB: .
If you can’t find it locally, it’s available for $11.99 online at
Sample received for review.