“We were to do more business after dinner; but after dinner is after dinner – an old saying and a true, ‘much drinking, little thinking,’” Johnathan Swift
Recently, I was informed that the esteemed winemaker (owner?) of Bodegas Numanthia in Spain was in Milwaukee in order to present and taste his wines with the trade. Since I was unable to make it to his tasting, he was kind enough to send a couple of samples to me.
Wine growing conditions in Spain can be most daunting, with Arizona-like heat in the summer and Alaska-like cold in the winter. Given such conditions, only the strong survive, and Numanthia has a reputation for stepping up to this challenging weather plate.
Today’s tasting was of two of Numanthia’s wines, both of which are retailed at Discount Liquor and Wine on Oklahoma, Milwaukee Public Market and Thief Wine Shop on Oakland Avenue. Both, as well, are featured on the wine lists of Bacchus, Carnevor and the Pfister Hotel. Here are my tasting notes:
1) Numanthia Termes, 2008, $30 retail ($60 at Bacchus). With an average vine age of 30 years, this brooding beauty was dark blood-red with heavy body. It boasted a deeply fruity, intense nose bursting with notes of violets, boysenberry and plum. In the mouth, it was deeply fruity and complex with dancing and intriguing flavors of plum and wild berries – almost like an old vine Zinfandel with tight tannins. Long, elegant finish. A
2) Numanthia, 2007, $60 retail ($150 at Bacchus). I found it fascinating when my research revealed that the vines that produce this wine average between 70-100 years of age, which often intensifies flavor concentration. With a deep purple, vibrant hue, it had cloying body. On the nose, I quickly caught front-loaded raspberry, blackberry and feral notes of wild blueberry – a genuine rocking-chair wine. On the palate, it brimmed with zesty, deep and fruity intensity, almost tasting like a world-class Paso Robles Zinfandel. Long, intense finish with notes of chocolate and deep suggestions of lingering cherry. Buy! A+
Today’s clear winner was the Numanthia 2007, although both of these beauties provide a truly extraordinary wine enjoyment opportunity.
Cheers to you both!
