Oxer Bastegieta Kuusu Tinta de Toro | 2021

Oxer Bastegieta is a cutting-edge, rising star winemaker based in Rioja Alavesa. He bottles his eye-catching Kuusu label under the Vino de España appellation, because it comes from a vineyard just outside of Toro’s limits, within the greater Castilla y León region. Planted in 1920, these centenary vines are mostly Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and the rare white, Albillo Mayor which thrive in sandy-quartz soils at a refreshing elevation of 600 meters. The grapes are transported to Oxer’s winery in Rioja, where he uses a minimalist approach in the cellar to squeeze out every drop of terroir in the wine. The result is brilliant. At 14% alcohol, Kuusu is far from the stereotypical chunky Toro. The palate is lithe with liquid cherries, dark violets, and sweet chili spices. The oak treatment is tough to detect, as a soft cedar spice lingers in the background. With less than 1,000 bottles produced for the world, experience something truly limited and over-the-top delicious. ~Allegra A