Numanthia, Toro (Castilla y León, Spain) 2008

 Toro, like so many other Spanish appellations, is undergoing a renaissance led, in no small measure, by Numanthia.  (The winery takes its name from the nearby town of Numancia).  They make three wines, Termanthia, Numanthia (which leads to the perseverating Numanthia’s Numanthia) and this one, Termes, distinguished chiefly by the age of the vines.  Termes comes from “young” vines, averaging–get this–30 to 50 years of age.  Tinto de Toro, thought to be in the Tempranillo family, is the grape of the region.  Termes is a fabulous introduction to the region and Numanthia.  Big and bold, yet not overdone, and with surprising elegance, it conveys more than just black fruit.  Earth, minerals and a host of hard to pin down flavors bombard the palate.  Like all of Numanthia’s wines, it has tremendous class, especially considering its size.  Its polish allows you to enjoy it now with hearty midwinter fare.