Style Light red Old World Country Spain Price $13
Vintage tasted 2008 Grapes Tinta de Toro
Website www.francoislurton.com

Overview Frenchman François Lurton must get some raised eyebrows in proud Spanish wine country. But there’s no need for nationalism: though Lurton seems to be in nearly every major wine country in the world, many of his bottles are shockingly delicious. Even more impressive, they tend to reflect the characteristics of grape, soil, and national traditions rather than one winemaker’s personal style. This one, for instance, has the meaty, herbal, Old World flavors that we love in Spanish wines, along with a crowd-pleasing burst of fruit.

Nose Dense sour cherries, vegetal aromas, and a yeasty note rule here.

Mouth The basic taste known as umami in Japanese is a definite player. Otherwise the wine is herbal and vegetal, with food-friendly acid and tannin.