2006 Piedra Azul, Estancia Piedra, Toro

"Fresh black cherry nose; Vibrant, bright, lively, reasonably concentrated and long"
(Best of Toro - Decanter Apr 09)

You don’t have to spend a fortune at Berry’s, as this delicious unoaked Spanish red, made from 40-year-old tempranillo vines, proves, all smouldering, 14.7 per cent, spicy, beefy, plum and prune-like flavours.
(Jane MacQuitty - The Times - 03-Jan-2008)

Bodegas Piedra hand-harvests 40-year old Tinta de Toro which sees no oak, allowing the full, creamy blue-black depth of fruit to come to the fore. The aromas are schisty and bright, with crisp but deeply glossy black fruit and a hint of something mineral behind. On the palate... this wine stays fresh and vital from first to last, but the fruit is copious with mouth-filling blackberry and just a touch of black chocolate. Tannins are suede-like and creamy, acidity is good, and the overall package is layered and intense. Terrific stuff with bags of personality.
(Tom Canavan -WinePages.com- Wine of the Week 26/10/2008)

Tinto de Toro is the local synonym for Rioja's famous Tempranillo grape. Thegrape's trademark generosity of fruit and elegance of tannins are clearlyevidenced, together with a complexity and power rare in a wine of this level.The fruits are from the darker end of the spectrum with morello cherry andblackcurrant to the fore, underwritten by hints of liquorice and darkchocolate. Lovely with casseroles or roasts. Toro has long shown potential, butfor too long produced wines where alcohol has masked all else. The tide isturning; this is a super wine; great value to boot.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)