Termanthia Toro Tempranillo

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly dark fruits: plums, black cherry, dark brambles, purple flowers, sweet tobacco, anise, leather, vanilla and baking spices. I believe this wine sees some new, small format oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is smooth and luxurious. Alcohol is medium+. The wine is fairly well balanced.

Initial conclusions: this could be Merlot or a Merlot-based blend, Cabernet Franc (or based blend), Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec or Carménère from the United States, France, Spain or Argentina. From my experience, I didn’t think it was purple or single-toned enough for Malbec. There wasn’t any rotondun or reductive qualities I usually get from Syrah; so I eliminated that as well. There weren’t enough pyrazines for Cab Franc. It left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and since this was lavishly oaked (I felt most new French oak), I veered towards Merlot and since it was leaning pretty heavily towards its fruit and the ABV was elevated, I was going New World instead of Right Bank. Final conclusion: Merlot or Merlot-based blend from the United States, from California, Napa Valley from 2015. Gosh dammit. I forgot about the possibility of Tempranillo from Toro. I totally get it but don’t hate my analysis or call. I’ve had Termes and Numanthia countless times but this was the first time trying Termanthia. It’s a big boy…but pretty well balanced considering the power. Drink now through 2032+.

Very big, bluesy and huge. Good fruit. Not much definition

Very deep, intense and pure. A bit primary but good

Deep, lurid ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented aromas of black currant, cherry liqueur, vanilla and candied licorice; a suave floral nuance builds in the glass. Alluringly sweet and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit, mocha and floral pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Shows excellent delineation and solid punch on an impressively long, dark berry-driven finish framed by slow-building, harmonious tannins. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2021)

Rich and intense, red currant, black cherries, violets, lavender hints of savory herbs with supple tannins. A beast of a Tempranillo.

Highly extracted. Tar-like. Smoke, bramble, Dry earth, aggressive tannin. Finish sucks the moisture off of the tongue. Not my first choice stylistically, but certainly a unique wine made at a high level.

Lovely nose of Intense dark red berries and rose petals. Still a little young. Dark red berries with notes of toasted vanilla and truffles.

Put this on your list!

From a 4.78 ha plot, from ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, surprisingly elegant, expected it to be a monster, somewhat similar to right bank Bordeaux from that very year. Complex aromas of cassis, tobacco, menthol, stout and pepper. Deep and concentrated, gravelly tannins with a long sweet finish. 14.5%

2005 Single vineyard Tinta de Toro....old ungrafed vines...rich, dense fruit coupled with inorganic minerality and a lengthy finish....best to decant this bad boy a few hours ahead of time...opens up beautifully.