Rodriguez produces three wines in Toro, one of Spain’s multiple up-and-coming areas. All are 100% Tinto de Toro, which is a distinctive clone of Tempranillo and may actually be the same as nearby Portugal’s Touriga Nacional.

The 2002 “G” Dehaso Gago makes for an ideal introduction to the wines of Toro and at a great price. The color is deep ruby with minimal purple. Aromatically, there’s lots of deep cherry with earth and smoke underpinning. Perfect balance, a medium body, good acid, soft tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel greet you on the palate. The closing is long and dominated by cherry and some oak vanilla. If you like this one, you may want to try some of its bigger brothers from this winery or others on the rapidly growing Toro landscape.

What to eat with this wine? Beef, lamb or pork would make great company.