Grapes: 100% Tinta de Toro
Vintage: 2009
Color: Red
According to records, the “Los Colmillos” (The Tusks) vineyard was planted in 1950. The owner, Manuel Martin Amores, however, swears it was planted way back in the 1870s. His grandfather, when required to document his estate, chose to register the later date as back in the early 1990s, old vines were considered less productive and, consequently, less valuable. Today, of course, we know that really old vines are the determining factor in producing world-class wines of great concentration and finesse.
Produced from 130+ year old vines. Fruit was hand harvested and saw fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was racked to new French oak barrel for malolactic fermentation which was followed by 13 months of aging in barrel. The was bottled without filtration.
Reviews
Publication
Score
Comments
The Wine Advocate
92+
The 2009 Eternum Viti Los Colmillos was sourced from a vineyard estimated to contain ungrafted vines as old as 135 years. Malolactic occurred in new French oak followed by 13 months of aging prior to bottling without filtration. Purple/black in color, it proffers a liqueur-like bouquet of spicy black fruits, incense, violets, tapenade, and truffle. Dense, powerful, rich, and loaded, it will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and drink well through 2029. Fans of low alcohol, elegance, and subtlety, look elsewhere. Those looking for a big wet kiss, this is the one for you. Issue 195, June 2011
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
91
Deep ruby. Intensely fragrant raspberry and candied cherry on the nose, with exotic gingerbread and apricot accents. Very fresh in the mouth, with energetic red and dark fruit flavors supported by bright acidity and supple tannins. Tannins build with air but fade into the lush, pliant fruit on the finish. There's a slightly primary quality here that suggests some cellaring would be a good idea. Score: 91(+?)
Issue 158, Sept/Oct 2011
