I was banging on yesterday about a pack of inexpensive Aldi exclusive wines that looked great for the dollars. This El Toro Macho Reserva 2016 is one that rose above the pack.
A blend of Bobal, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Garnacha from Valencia. It sounds foolish to say, but this feels so Spanish. The earthen, caramel and brick dust palate is lifted up by oak sweetness on a palate that feels savoury, dusty, substantial, chewy and longish. There’s a real inexpensive Rioja Crianza vibe to this, even though Bobal is the hero. It’s not about super definition or intensity, but this is a hit for affordable drinking with some charisma.
Best drinking: nowish, will probably go for a few more years yet. 17/20, 90/100. 13%, $8.99. Would I buy it? A glass.
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Bought one … agree – very drinkable / nice pizza wine. Amazing at the price and so much better and savoury than most $10 wines.
It’s such an important distinction. So much of the circa $10 stuff is just fruit juice.