Bodegas Sabor Real 2006 Toro

Lets start this one by talking a little bit about Spain and Toro. Right now, Spain has some of the best wine values you will find in the world - wonderful wines from many regions and different grapes with the opportunity to get great quality for your money. Toro is a region that is a bit of a well kept secret. Toro reds are generally made with the same Tempranillo grape used in the better known region of Rioja (in Spain wines are named after the region not the grape), although in Toro the grape is often called Tinto de Toro. The beauty of the Spanish system which names the wine after the region is that the same grape in different regions will actually make wine that is similar but unique from the other regions. I could start a whole dissertation on terroir here, but that's for another day. The beauty of Toro is that it is an up and coming region, which means you will generally get great value for your money with these wines.

Bodegas Sabor Real 2006 Toro is one of the standout values in Toro. On the nose it has an aroma of smoky spice and blackberry. It has a great, full bodied mouthfeel with loads of spice and fruit and it is very nicely balanced. This can be had for as low as $9.99 a bottle, and at that price this is one to buy by the case. This is one of the best bottles I've ever had in the under $10 price range. Parker gave this one 90 points. Highly recommended!

This wine will pair wonderfully with a wide range of foods. It goes great with pork tenderloin or grilled lamb chops, and it is great with an authentic Spanish paella with chorizo sausage. I had it last night with some tapas - figs with manchego cheese wrapped in jamon serrano (cured spanish ham). Both the figs and the wine were delicious.