Matsu El Viejo 2022 is a red wine made from century-old vines of the Tinta de Toro variety and stands as the 'top' wine of Bodegas Matsu and one of the main ambassadors of the Vintae group. A very elegant Toro wine with limited production.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Grape variety
100% Tinta de Toro
Type of barrel
Oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux Bottle
Capacity (cl)
75
General Information
Matsu El Viejo 2022 occupies the high range of the winery and is the result of a selection of century-old vines with extremely limited production. Perfected with 16 months of aging in oak barrels.
Vintae is an innovative and dynamic company led by the young Arambarri brothers from Rioja and the winemaker Raúl Acha. In 2006, they ventured into the D.O. Toro, captivated by the value of its old vines and convinced that the area's conditions (low humidity and sandy soils) are optimal for low-intervention viticulture, in line with their philosophy.
The Matsu winery today produces red wines that reflect the landscape and the land from which they come, obtained through organic farming and a biodynamic approach. Wines praised by international critics, which manage to tame the power of the Tinta de Toro grape and achieve elegance and smoothness.
Matsu El Viejo 2022 is a wine under the D.O. Toro that pairs perfectly with red meats, such as stone-grilled beef ribeye; or with game stews, such as braised venison.
Tasting notes
Matsu El Viejo boasts a beautiful mature cherry red color with jet-black hues and a very high layer.
On the nose, it is incredibly complex, deep, and intense. First, it reveals aromas of black fruits (plum, blackberry, and blueberry) along with balsamic notes and pleasant sweet spices. In the background, hints of fine woods and chocolate appear.
Well-structured on the palate, it shows elegance and breadth, resulting in a flavorful and balanced wine. A red wine endowed with magnificent acidity and marked tannins of very high quality. Great persistence on the palate, with a long finish dominated by the balsamic notes already hinted at on the nose.
The winery
Bodega Matsu is a project by Vintae, a wine company born in La Rioja in the late nineties. Starting in 2003, it began expanding to other winemaking regions beyond Rioja, producing wines in Ribera del Duero, Ribera del Queiles, and Navarra. Shortly after, attracted by the extraordinary characteristics of the D.O. Toro, Vintae’s technical director and winemaker, Raúl Acha, started exploring the vineyards of Toro. What drew him to this region was its tradition of minimal intervention in the vineyard, made possible by the denomination’s climatic conditions, with very low humidity and sandy soils. Added to this tradition is the rich heritage of old vines of extraordinary quality, as well as the strength and character of the Tinta de Toro grape.
In 2006, the first vintage of Matsu was crafted, initially with just one wine: El Viejo. Two vintages later, two more wines were added: El Pícaro and El Recio. Matsu, which means "to wait" in Japanese, is a tribute to all the winegrowers who, over generations, have worked the vineyards with dedication, wisdom, and sacrifice. The labels, featuring a young man, a middle-aged man, and an old man, represent three of these generations and correspond to each of the wines.
In 2006, the first vintage of Matsu was crafted, initially with just one wine: El Viejo. Two vintages later, two more wines were added: El Pícaro and El Recio. Matsu, which means "to wait" in Japanese, is a tribute to all the winegrowers who, over generations, have worked the vineyards with dedication, wisdom, and sacrifice. The labels, featuring a young man, a middle-aged man, and an old man, represent three of these generations and correspond to each of the wines.