“El Recio” “The Tough One”, a Biodynamic powerhouse

Blackberry, cherry, chocolate, vanilla, bay leaf, wood, leather, and minerals. This wine immediately grabs you firmly with its assertiveness. The Matsu El Recio is a powerful red wine from Toro, Spain. El Recio means: the bold one. It is the middle generation of a trilogy of wines: El Picaro (the young one), El Recio (the tough one) and El Viejo (the old one). Recently, the white one has also become available. La Jefa (The boss) has arrived! After all, this is made from vines 90 to 100 years old! Low production, therefore a high concentration and intensity of flavor. A full and sultry aroma of dark fruit and earthy notes on the nose. On the palate, a complex, round, yet also smooth and silky taste of black fruit, tobacco, sweet cherries, something smoky, coffee, and plum. This is a wine with an intense flavor and therefore a lot of power. No fussing here; once opened, the Matsu El Recio reveals itself generously! Put it on the table with a lamb stew, grilled meat (ribs!!) or rich hard cheeses like Manchego.

Tinta de toro, hand-harvested

Matsu El Recio is made from Tinto de Toro (which translates to bull ink), the local variant of Tempranillo in the Toro wine region. The Toro region is located near Portugal and next to the famous Rueda (where much Verdejo is grown) Sourced from vines over 90 to 100 years old! The harvest is entirely by hand during the first 15 days of October when the grapes are fully ripe. The grapes are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, followed by natural fermentation in small concrete tanks. The wine undergoes wood aging for 14 months in French and Eastern European oak barrels, after which it is bottled without filtration to preserve its natural characteristics.

Bodega Matsu: Biodynamic

Matsu is a unique sustainable organic winemaker in the Spanish wine region of Toro. It is a collaboration of family businesses joining forces to advocate for the continued existence of viticulture in this special area. The Toro wine region is located northwest of Madrid on the River Duero and has held D.O. recognition since 1987. Winemaker Raúl Acha went in search of old vineyards for organic viticulture; in his search, he even found a vineyard with vines nearly 100 years old. This search and the process of making the wines are reflected in the name of this wine project.

Take the time for ‘Matsu’: ‘Patient Balance’

Matsu means “patient balance” in Japanese. Matsu is inspired by the Japanese tradition of caring for nature in purity and simplicity. It is a tribute to the Spanish wine tradition. All wines are made from grapes grown in a completely natural environment, using biodynamic techniques. The Matsu trilogy of wines represents the three generations of winemakers.