Numanthia

Firm tannins frame black cherry, mineral, licorice and herbal notes in this chewy red. Well-proportioned, with lively acidity and a lovely floral finish. Tannic now, but the fruit should emerge with age. Best from 2011 through 2017.

Dense and dark, with huge black-fruit aromas, toasty oak, chocolate and balsamic notes. Numanthia is ripe, rugged and intense, with in-your-face black fruit, coffee and burnt-toast accents. The feel and finish are deep as a cool well, and smooth as a whistle. Masculine to the max, and pretty close to being ready to drink. Best to hold until the fall or winter.

They make their wines big in the Toro region, but under the talented had of winemaker Marcos Eguren the wines of Numanthia-Termes have always been relatively elegant even if they haven’t been bashful. Numanthia 2006 (one of three Toro reds made by Numanthia-Termes) is dark as midnight, with huge black-fruit aromas, toasty oak, chocolate and balsamic notes, but isn’t hot or fiery. a bonus is that it’s almost ready to drink, although we suggest holding it until the winter when it will offset cooler seasonal temperatures by warming your palate and insides with the essence of Tinta de Toro (a clone of Tempranillo). last year the Eguren family sold this winery to Moët Hennessy in order to pursue other interests in Toro, but fans of Numanthia-Termes should have no fear about the change in ownership because the Egurens have laid the groundwork for continued success, and Moët’s people have insisted they have no intentions of ramping up production or changing the style of the wines.

Inky ruby. Complex bouquet of red and dark berries complemented by minerals, mint, anise and black pepper. Rich but focused on the palate, offering sweet raspberry and black currant flavors, a silky texture and strong mineral snap. More elegant and precise than the Termes, showing tighter focus, clarity and finishing sweetness. For a rich wine, this is quite graceful.