Numanthia-Termes 2012 Numanthia, Toro

In the middle ages Toro wines were enjoyed all over Spain and beyond. Reestablished in 1933 the Toro D.O. currently has 14,000 acres planted, but Numanthia Estate has singlehandedly put Spain's Toro region back on the map, by producing award winning wines celebrated world wide, that have reached Icon status. The high altitude (2,000 feet) of the vineyards offers extremely favorable conditions for the grapes to mature and develop. The yields from these vines are some of the lowest in Europe averaging less that 1 ton per acre. The Tinta de Toro grape which is a clone of Tempranillo, is very dark in color, especially these very concentrated old vines grapes, so the wine shows deep color and rich extraction. This wine is made with grapes from vines 70 to 100 years old that undergo a rigorous selection for optimal health and maturation.

The Wine Advocate scored this 92 points saying "The eponymous 2012 Numanthia is sourced from vineyards ranging from 60 to 100 years of age across the Toro appellation (they have around 100 hectares of vineyards... spread across 100 separate plots!). The wine matured in brand new oak barrels for 22 months. The aromas are mostly oak related with some toasted sesame seeds, sweet vanilla and cinnamon, some licorice and chocolate, and a core of very ripe black fruit. The oak is obviously of very good quality, but at the moment it dominates the wine and with time what emerges is still toffee, smoke and coal. The palate reveals a very young wine that is dense, tremendous, with high dry extract, concentrated, powerful, and full of dusty tannins and oak-related flavors. This beast needs a good couple of years to be tamed down by the bottle. This is a bodybuilder of a Toro -- oaky and highly extracted in its style. The 2014 will see a change and will not have 100% new oak."

Wine Spectator scored this 93 points saying "This rich, generous red delivers plum pudding, dark chocolate and baking spice flavors, with loamy earth and licorice notes. The tannins are muscular but well-integrated, balanced by balsamic acidity. Drink now through 2028."

Wine Enthusiast selected this as one of their Top 100 Wines of 2017 scoring it 95 points they said "Deep, dense and pure from the opening bell, this Toro is a winner. Aromas of dark ripe black fruits are cool and moderately oaked. This feels massive on the palate but sensationally balanced. Flavors of blackberry, coffee, mocha and toasty oak finish spicy, smooth and heady. Drink this exemplary Toro through 2023." Editors’ Choice