Damalisco, Crianza, Toro, Spain, 2008is dark garnet red in the glass. The nose is filled with powerful aromas of tart red fruit such as cherry and strawberry. These aromas are balanced with slight charred oak, clove, balsamic vinegar, earthy leather and some graphite. The palate is as powerful as the nose with elegant notes as well.
The ripe fruit of strawberry and raspberry are upfront with wet slate and graphite coming through in the mid palate and well integrated oak and baking spices coming through the long finish. Smooth but firm tannins with bright acidity help carry the finish for a long time.
Damalisco Crianza, 2008 has the typical power of wines from Toro. Tinto de Toro has been planted since the Roman age and these wines are as powerful as the Roman Legion of soldiers.
Damalisco, Crianza, 2008 is coming into it's own now. The wines of Toro are powerful upon release and age gracefully for at least a decade or beyond. The wines of Toro are not wimpy and call for a rich meal. A fatty rib eye seared and finished medium to let the winecut through this rich cut of beef. Also some gamey Colorado lamb chops with their big eyes of meat will love the silky tannins of the Damalisco, Crianza, 2008. If you eat vegan pair the Damalisco, Crianza, 2008 with sauteed portabella mushrooms with roasted root vegetables.
