{"product_id":"2020-teso-la-monja-alabaster-methusalem-5-liter","title":"2020 Teso la Monja Alabaster Methusalem (5 liter)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2020 Teso La Monja Alabaster Methusalem is one of Toro’s most coveted expressions of old-vine Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), here presented in a rare 5-liter format. Crafted from pre-phylloxera vines averaging 100 years of age, this is a powerful yet finely sculpted red that showcases the Eguren family’s obsessive focus on detail and quality. As the spiritual successor to the iconic Termanthia, Alabaster has quickly become a modern benchmark for world-class Spanish red wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2020 Alabaster is inky, almost opaque, with a deep purple core and a narrow, vibrant garnet rim hinting at its youthful concentration. The wine clings to the glass with slow, viscous legs, promising richness and structure.\n\nThe nose is intensely aromatic yet refined: ripe black plums, cassis and black cherries are layered with notes of graphite, crushed stone, violets, and subtle Mediterranean herbs. With air, more complex nuances emerge—espresso, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, warm spices and a discreet touch of new French oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is full-bodied and dense, but remarkably poised. Ripe black fruit is wrapped in firm, ultra-fine tannins and a vibrant, mineral-driven backbone. Flavors of plum compote, blackcurrant, and dark cherry are interwoven with mocha, licorice, smoky mineral tones and a long, polished finish that seems to unfold in layers. The oak is luxurious but beautifully integrated, adding texture and depth without overwhelming the fruit. The 2020 vintage, with its extremely low yields, delivers extra concentration and energy, suggesting considerable longevity.\n\nThis Methusalem has outstanding aging potential. Properly cellared, it should evolve gracefully for 20–30 years or more, gaining complexity and tertiary notes of leather, truffle, dried flowers and spice while retaining its core of sweet, dark fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlabaster is sourced exclusively from centenarian, pre-phylloxera Tinta de Toro vines, planted on their original rootstock (self-rooted Vitis vinifera) in some of the most prized parcels of Toro. These old vines, rooted in poor, sandy and stony soils at altitude, naturally produce microscopic yields—around 9–11 hl\/ha—which concentrate flavor, structure and terroir expression. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, with bunches carefully picked into small crates to avoid any damage, followed by rigorous selection. In the cellar, Teso La Monja employs meticulous, small-batch vinification, with gentle extraction to respect the fruit’s purity and tannin finesse. The wine is then aged for approximately 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, where it gains additional complexity, texture and aromatic nuance before bottling. This special Methusalem format is filled and packed by hand, presented in a wooden original wooden case (OWC) and produced in only a handful of units, enhancing both collectability and aging capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis monumental Toro red is best paired with equally bold, deeply flavored dishes: slow-braised beef or lamb shanks, venison, Iberico pork presa, dry-aged ribeye, or rich game stews work exceptionally well. It also shines alongside earthy, umami-laden plates such as mushroom ragout, truffle dishes, and aged hard cheeses like Manchego, Comté or Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatics and balance. Given the concentration and youth of the 2020 vintage—especially in a 5-liter Methusalem—decant generously: at least 2–3 hours for near-term enjoyment, and longer (up to 6 hours) if opened in its first decade, allowing the wine to fully unfurl its depth and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTeso La Monja is the prestigious Toro project of the Eguren family, one of Spain’s most respected wine families, renowned for their work in Rioja and for creating the legendary Numanthia and Termanthia wines before selling that estate to LVMH in 2007. Seeking to continue and refine their vision of top-tier Toro, the Egurens founded Bodegas Teso La Monja the same year, focusing on old vines, low yields and meticulous, artisanal winemaking. Today, Teso La Monja is considered a reference point in the region, helping to elevate Toro’s reputation on the world stage with wines that marry power, precision and elegance. Alabaster stands at the apex of the range, produced only in the finest vintages and in very limited quantities, and regularly garners high scores and critical acclaim as one of Spain’s elite red wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Teso La Monja","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255507964241,"sku":"GCW-MONJ-20017-1","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2016_Teso_la_Monja_Alabaster_1_2_1_1_1_1.png?v=1783459142","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2020-teso-la-monja-alabaster-methusalem-5-liter","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}