Spain

Bodega Numanthia-Termes Numanthia 2004

You'd think Toro was a new region given the press coverage lately, or the lack of in the past. But look at the vine age of a lot of the top wines and they're 40-100 years old.  The Tempranillo vines for this wine are 70-100 years, cropping very low at 1 tonne per acre.  The wine sees all new French oak for 19 months.

If you are after a subtle wine, this is probably not for you.  Yes it is big, powerful and rich.  But it isn't over the top, its well restrained, balanced and complex.  It has structure and all the elements to age very well.  Kind of like the mythical perfect man they talk about in magazines like Men's Health or Cleo.

Deep and dark in colour, you can see that it is going to stain your teeth.  The nose is chock full of aromas: roast meat, coffee, currents, blackberry, mocha, chocolate and cherry liqueur.  I could keep going, but it would be too much.  Starting off shy and medium bodied, this build with time in the glass to a luxurious, mouth coating, full bodied wine with loads of broad, soft tannins.  Constantly evolving in the decanter, there are flavours of dark cherries, black currents, slight pepper, chocolate, cola and minerals.  A lick of minerals on the long finish.  Put this in a cool, dark place for at least 5 years, then drink over the following 15.  If you can't wait, a big decant is in order.  95+ Pts.

Source:  Toro/Woods Wines Price: Around $125  Closure: Conventional Cork 

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