2002 Numanthia

There are 350 cases of the unfiltered 2002 Numanthia. Produced from yields of one ton of fruit per acre from 70-100 year old Tinto de Toro (the local name for Tempranillo) vines, it enjoyed an extended 28-day maceration as well as 19 months in new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. A strong effort for the vintage, this deep ruby/purple-tinged 2002 exhibits scents of pain grille intermixed with raspberries, black cherries, and hints of licorice as well as spice box. With medium to full body, surprising density, high glycerin, sweet tannin, and a heady, perfumed, generous personality, it should drink well for 5-7 years. Broker Jorge Ordonez is heavily involved in this project, which is an attempt to revive high quality wines in Toro, a distinctive viticultural area that was devastated by phylloxera. There are a number of serious wines emerging from Toro, but Numanthia may be the most perfectionist wine of the appellation (although Vega Sicilia’s Pintia and the Campo Elysio from Michel Rolland are among the worthy competitors). Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates From Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767

Dark, sweet, exciting nose. Very tense, yet very Toro. Very successful, though perhaps too aggressive at the moment. (JR)

There are 350 cases of the unfiltered 2002 Numanthia. Produced from yields of one ton of fruit per acre from 70-100 year old Tinto de Toro (the local name for Tempranillo) vines, it enjoyed an extended 28-day maceration as well as 19 months in new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. A strong effort for the vintage, this deep ruby/purple-tinged 2002 exhibits scents of pain grille intermixed with raspberries, black cherries, and hints of licorice as well as spice box. With medium to full body, surprising density, high glycerin, sweet tannin, and a heady, perfumed, generous personality, it should drink well for 5-7 years. Jun 2005, www.robertparker.com