2021 Bodega Divina Proporcion Madremia

Bodega Divina Proporción's 2021 Madremía is a single-varietal Tinta de Toro from the Denominación de Origen Toro in northwest Spain, made from vines over forty years old rooted in cool, sandy soils. The wine spent nine months in a combination of French and American oak, chosen not to impose oak character but to extend aging potential while preserving the fruit-forward profile Tinta de Toro is known for. The 2021 vintage balances the varietal's characteristic density with surprising freshness, a result of extended pre-fermentation maceration and the temperature-moderating effect of sand. Bodega Divina Proporción farms old-vine Tinta de Toro parcels in the Toro appellation, where continental extremes and sandy vineyard soils yield darker, more concentrated wines than neighboring Ribera del Duero. Tinta de Toro is a local clone of Tempranillo adapted over centuries to the region's heat and elevation, and these forty-year-old vines deliver smaller berries with thicker skins and more concentrated flavors. The winery's barrel program is intentionally restrained — the nine-month élevage in mixed French and American oak rounds tannins without masking fruit, leaving cocoa and wildflower accents rather than overt vanilla or toast. This approach reflects a modern Toro philosophy: harnessing the varietal's power without overwhelming the palate. The wine opens with red and blackcurrant, cherry, and raspberry jam, followed by subtle cocoa and hints of wildflowers as it warms in the glass. Ruby-toned and transparent at the rim, it reveals caramel and vanilla flower on the mid-palate, a gentle byproduct of the oak rather than the dominant note. The finish is smooth and long, with that ripe-fruit sweetness lingering alongside fine-grained tannins. Pair the 2021 Madremía with grilled lamb chops, chorizo and potato stew, or aged Manchego — the wine has the structure for roasted meats but enough acidity to work alongside tomato-based braises. It drinks well now but will hold for another three to five years if you cellar it in Lincoln Park. The 2021 Bodega Divina Proporción Madremía is available for pickup at Off Premise Chicago, 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park, with local Chicago delivery and nationwide shipping.