Numanthia, Toro (Spain) 2002

Purple/red.

Vinturi - nose of black cherry/blackberry coulis, earth/hazelnut, black pepper and olive. Deep, but also has nice lift.

Round and intense, showing a coconut/pepper/earth character that reminds me of Rioja, as does the acid-driven structure. Almost "citrusy" in feel (think zest). Which is very interesting. 2002 was a cooler year in most of Europe, so we get a Toro (hot area) that tastes/feels like Rioja (cooler). I actually like this wine far better than the massively extracted '98 or '99. Nice pepper finish intertwined with significant acid/tannin synergy.


$45 on release. 100% Tempranillo.