2004 Numanthia Termes
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A big monster of a wine that going to have a very long life, the 2004 Numanthia (100% Tinta de Toro aged in new barrels) is still deeply colored, yet slightly translucent and no bricking. This beauty takes some time to unwind but offers beauty blackcurrant, cedar/pencil lead, earth, tobacco and spicy wood aromas and flavors. Much more polished and elegant than on release, when it was an oak bomb, it still has some wood tannin showing, is full-bodied, impressively concentrated and balanced. It shines today with a decant but has two decades of life ahead of it.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
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Inky ruby. Mineral-accented cherry and plum flavors are deepened by dark chocolate and licorice. Bitter cherry flavor is complicated by espresso and cracked pepper. A bright kick of minerals on the finish adds verve to this surprisingly taut, youthful wine. About 25% new French oak was used here.
The 2004 Termes received malolactic fermentation in barrel and was aged for 16 months in one-year-old French barriques. Inky purple-colored, it emits a beautiful bouquet of scorched earth, graphite, wild blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a full-bodied, layered, concentrated, intensely flavored wine with exceptional balance and length. The tannins are well concealed by the opulent fruit. Cellar this terrific wine for 6-8 years and drink it over the following 12-15. It is a fantastic value in great wine. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461- 5767