Garmón and San Román are two of Spain’s most compelling fine reds, made by Eduardo García, whose father, Mariano, made his name over three decades at the legendary Vega Sicilia. Together, they bring extraordinary experience and precision to two neighbouring regions: Ribera del Duero and Toro.
Order by midday, Thursday 5th November 
The 2023 vintage brought its challenges, with extreme heat putting the vines under pressure, but the results are exceptional. Both wines deliver the depth and concentration you’d expect, yet each has its own character: San Román is a benchmark for powerful, dark-fruited Toro, while Garmón offers a more fragrant, finely detailed expression of Ribera del Duero. In both, Eduardo’s masterful touch brings freshness, structure and polish to wines that are built to age.
Garmón
An exceptional Ribera del Duero from the talented Eduardo Garcia, offering great delicacy and fragrance, with beautiful cassis-laced fruit. Despite the challenges of another year of extreme heat, mid-September rains in 2023 refreshed the vines and slowed ripening, allowing the grapes to achieve phenolic maturity while retaining freshness and balance. The masterful Eduardo blends tempranillo from six different sites across Ribera from 30- to 100-year-old vines in Moradillo, Baños, Tubilla and Anguix in the province of Burgos and Valbuena and Olivares in Valladolid. He’s a master of detail, using leaf cover to shield bunches from sunburn and to help retain natural acidity. 11% cabernet sauvignon adds structure to the blend while 25% new French oak brings spice and polish. The wine is rich with savoury spices, and a fresh, everlasting finish with refined grip and real energy. Extraordinary winemaking.
San Román
San Román 2023 is a big wine with big flavours, drenched in dark berry fruit with sweet spicy oak, it hits all the right spots. This really is a Toro benchmark from one of the most legendary winemakers, Eduardo Garcia. The wine is made from a terroir that has the ability to give sensational wines in extreme conditions. Usually 100% tinta de toro (tempranillo), this year Eduardo has added 10% garnacha which brings finesse in this hot, dry climate. He is also working fully organically and now in conversion to biodynamic agriculture, always looking to enhance the biodiversity of his vineyards.
The 2023 vintage here was excellent, with an early start to the cycle thanks to warm spring, but a perfect summer in terms of humidity and temperature. The vineyards are spread across the villages of San Roman de Hornija and Villaester, at high altitidues of around 850m above sea level, and on stony and sandy-clay soils which help retain the moisture well and gives the wine a distinctive mineral composure. The wine spends 24 months in new and used French oak barrels which softens the powerful tannins. Fresh, firm with dark fruit, and hints of mint and chocolate.
If you like big, concentrated reds that are polished, balanced and ageworthy, then this is a must!
