2019 San Roman

2019 San Roman

2019 San Roman  The 2019 rendition of this (consistently outstanding) wine is certainly up to past vintages, and may very well surpass the 2018, which was more open and less oaky when I tasted it in late October of 2021. I hasten to note that the fruit density of this 2019 is clearly up to the challenge of absorbing its oak load and attaining excellent equilibrium for many years thereafter. The fact remains that equilibrium will require more time for this wine to attain, so lucky readers who have access to both bottles would be well advised to uncork the 2018 first and hold this in reserve. It shows spicy, toasty oak notes with suggestions of freshly roasted coffee beans and cocoa powder around a core of intense dark cherry fruit. Tasted again after the bottle had been standing open and uncorked for 24 hours, the fruit hadn’t dried out at all, and that underlines what a solid bet this is for positive development over time. 94pts WRO

A hint of gaminess on the nose, but the palate is packed with generous fruit. Notes of chocolate from the oak are married to cherry and elderberry fruit, tobacco smoke and cedar. Silky texture with grip but also great finesse. Great persistence. Power and elegance combined. Drink 2023-2038 95pts Decanter

I can remember first tasting these wines. It was the week between Christmas and New Year’s some ten years ago when two Spanish gentlemen came to visit me. I tasted their new wines and was blown away. I figured I had time to make a decision and would reach out in the new year to secure the wines. When I called back the wines were gone, every last bottle had been sold and I was pissed. I learnt my lesson and have never allowed that to happen again.

The two men who came to taste me were none other than possibly Spain’s and many consider Europe’s finest Wine Maker Mariano Garcia and his son Eduardo. Mariano Garcia is none other than the Winemaker of Vega Sicilia. Spain’s greatest wine, their first growth. Once the son of a vineyard worker, he happened to pass by the winemaker’s office one day when they needed another taster. With no knowledge of wines, he was the only one to pick out the two identical wines in a blind tasting of 20. He went on to make 28 vintages of Vega Sicilia.

The wines we were tasting were his new venture with his son Eduardo. They were making wine in the region of Toro, Spain. During a Charlie Rose TV broadcast Robert Parker was interviewed and asked, “Which up and coming wine region will make world-class red wines?”  His answer, “The Toro region of Spain.”  The new Winery is called Bodegas Y Viñedos Maurodos and their flagship wine is called San Roman. This is one of Spain’s greatest wines and one of my all-time favorites.

We have just received the 2019 San Roman, and the wine is better than ever. Parker has given the wine 94 points, which is a huge score for the vintage.  San Roman receives more consistent and critical praise than any other wine I know of in Europe. A a no-brainer buy for lovers of full-bodied reds.