The Dominio de Eguren winery makes excellent value wines including Protocolo and Códice, which is officially designated a Vino de la Tierra de Castilla (VT Castilla) wine, sourced from vineyards near the town of Cuenca outside the La Mancha DOC. In the Rioja DOCa region, the Egurens own the Sierra Cantabria, Señorío de San Vicente and Viñedos de Paganos wineries. Finally, there is Bodega Numanthia Termes in Toro. All these bodegas make wines that reflect their respective regions, whether they are strong value wines or super cuvées. The Eguren family has maintained a focus on quality that combines the best traditional and modern viticulture and winemaking methods. The result is very high quality wine.

The 2003 Códice is made of 100% Tempranillo grapes from old vines planted at 2,700 feet elevation on calcareous clay, a soil type common to Bordeaux. Castilla’s continental climate is dry and there’s a wide diurnal/nocturnal (day/night) temperature variation, which greatly assists the development of phenolically ripe grape skins. Yields are 40 hectolitres/hectare; low for the region. The wine is fermented at high temperatures (28-30° C) with selected yeasts, and pumped over twice a day. After fermentation, a 15-day extended maceration is completed to extract superior material and soft tannins with reduced pumping over to avoid any bitter notes. The wine is cold stabilized before aging for 6 months in tank and 6 months in French and American oak (Bordeaux-sized 225 Litre) barrels.

The 2003 Códice Tinto has crushed spiced black cherry and black tea aromas. There is beautifully ripe, chewy fruit on the palate. The tannins are substantial, but are soft and enhance the wine’s long finish. Pair this beefy red with meats, stews and other dishes that can stand up to a big, bold red. This is a lot of wine for the price.

—Chris

“…reveals Tempranillo’s sweeter cherry fruit side along with a richer, fuller-bodied mouthfeel, and notions of strawberry, flowers, and chocolate. Well-made, with great fruit and an attractive texture, it should drink well for 1-3 years.” —WA 88