100% Tinta del Toro aka. Tempranillo, Aged for 16 months in second use barriques. 14,5% alcohol.
Moderately evolved and quite translucent figgy-red. The nose feels rich and somewhat tired with tertiary aromas of dried dates and meat stew, some leathery tones, a little bit of oxidative soy sauce, light nuances of beef jerky and a sweet hint of ripe and soft dark plums. The wine is fat, chewy and sweet-toned on the palate with a very full body and bold, evolved flavors of strawberry jam and wizened dark plums, some gamey tones, a little bit of blueberry jelly, light oxidative notes of soy sauce and beef jerky, a lifted hint of minty greenness and a touch of ripe boysenberries. The wine is quite low in acidity, but the assertive, extracted tannins lend quite a bit of grip and firmness to the mouthfeel. The finish is aged, juicy and quite grippy with some alcohol warmth and a medium-long aftertaste of ripe dark fruits, some oxidative notes of soy sauce and beef jerky, a little bit of dried dates, light pruney tones, a hint of leather and a touch of strawberry jam.
A huge, fat and excessively ripe Tempranillo that is getting too old for its own good. While there is still some of that very ripe and concentrated fruit left here, most of it has evolved into this sweet, pruney mess, and what still remains is starting to get overwhelmed by the oxidative notes of soy sauce and beef jerky. There's no denying that the wine is impressively big - huge, even - but the acidity feels nowhere near sufficient to lend good sense of balance or structure to the wine. Fortunately the ample and quite grippy tannins still manage to lend some sense of firmness to the texture - otherwise the wine would feel just gloopy raisin juice. All in all, it feels like this wine must've been much better some ten years ago - and it is entirely possible we just had a prematurely evolved bottle - but I doubt the wine was particularly harmonious or balanced even in its youth. Can't say this wine managed to win me over.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brief decant for considerable sediment. Deep purple color. Black fruit and earth on nose and palate; tannin mostly resolved but still a bit of grip. An excellent wine from a fine vintage, but was better a couple of years ago. I'll finish my remaining couple of bottles over the next few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Superb right now. Still vibrant; modestly dense but now fully open with surprising balance; a dash of complexity of age but no "aged" notes; plenty of understated dark fruit with acidity to support. Utterly outshone a 2009 Malescot St Exupery when each had only an hour's aeration.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dinner with friends V&T (My house): Slight bouquet, it opened up nicely with good fruit and lots of complexity created by age, not a showy wine but drank easily, dark color, drank with magret of duck, we drank it after a big Denner wine so it it a bit for our palates to readjust, would drink again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Time has served this wine well, as its fruit forward style has been tamed, yet the dark fruit remains quite present and balanced from a surprisingly good structure of tannin and acidity. Few wines under $20 can age this gracefully, but Spain has a knack for that. Can certainly last a number of years longer, but I would drink in the near term, as the tannins may outlast the fruit.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
still in a strange place...will let my 5 remaining age longer. Smells like nail polish remover upon opening...blows off...muted fruit and strong tar...overnight changes again....gets more into balance...dark cherry and spice...tar dissipates. tough wine to time lol.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Strong, muscular, powerful wine. Nicely mature and mellowed a bit, but still packs a punch. Dark fruit. A full bodied, full fruited wine. Drink now or over the next 5 years. Really good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tons of fruit, great tannic finish, great on the nose! Really wish I had more than one of these. Probably in its peak drinking window now, with 2-3 years before it begins to decline. Good stuff!!!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought a case on release for $18/ at Weimax in Burlingame. What a steal! Now on the seventh bottle and three years since the sixth. On the bouquet we found creosote, menthol, ripe raspberries, worcestershire; parched earth, fresh peeled birch, and char-roasted tomatoes. The palate is still youthful and concentrated--at least after two hours in a wide-based decanter--though its old fortress of tannins is starting to dissolve. The dense and staining flavors range from dried black cherry and blueberry to hot tar, flower petals, and medicinal roots with a mineral-infused finish. We were looking for an interesting pairing for redwine vinegar braised lentils with spicy flash-fried tofu, sweet potatoes, and avocado, and this definitely did the trick. The slow evolution and continued density here suggest a long life ahead -2027.
Flawed: A seeper. The cork showed a little red stain at its top, though the stains up the side of the cork didn't appear to go all the way to that point. A wall of tannin and nothing else. This was purchased at retail within a year of release and stored at proper temperature.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Let sit.... opens rough....moldy, off. Then disjointed Angular (tar, boysenberry) after 25 hours in a 375 vacuum pumped....shows its future. Amazing range and integration. Floral: blueberries, strawberries, cassis, spice, long finish....still young ...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dense, solid, packed wine with dark fruit, tobacco leaf and earth notes. A bit of high toned fruit, a bit sweet like blueberry, but overall on the darker side. Long finish. A fairly bold amount of oak, but it's tamed at this point. A bit on the hot side. A real mouthful of wine. Muscular. Ready to drink with years ahead of it. Very good, especially for the original price. Great to see a $25 bottle that can effortlessly age 14 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Awesome toro and holding up extremely well. Dark cherry and light walnut with a hint of chocolate nose. Smooth finish and well integrated tannins. Can last another 5-10 years and only get better. What a deal!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark color, nice bouquet almost Bordeaux like, lots of flavor, balanced, good complexity but a bit heavy and the wine for all its technical excellence never sang for me, the wine has aged well, hard to believe it is 13 years old, my taste keeps evolving, drank with dry aged steaks, have 1more bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is aged and very vibrant! Very close to a perfectly aged Brunello. Lots of ripe fruit, with cedar, great acidity, followed by firm tannins. Tastes its age, finishes about 10 years younger. WOW! At peak. Drink!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very good bottle of wine. Decanted 90 minutes prior to taking to Morcilla. My son thought the nose was blueberry. Inky purple. Deep plush purple fruit. Complex and maybe not as good as the Clio. Good finish. Still going strong.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black fruit,espresso, coffee, tobacco, Oak and sweet tannins. Super tasty on its own. Would also be good with chicken, drink now or age, super QPR for $20 / bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good stuff, the wine has matured in the bottle but it still tasted fresh, great balance with spicy finish, dark color, smooth tannins, enjoyed with duck breast, have 2 more bottles to enjoy, this wine is usually a very good value, a big wine but has finesse brought on by age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP, but took about an hour to open up. Would decant that long in the future. Deep crimson clear to rim. Black and blue fruit on nose and palate with a bit of cigar box on finish. Sweet tannin with enough grip to keep the ripe fruit in check. I've had a number of these over the years and this was easily my best bottle. Drinking very well now (from 750ml) and should hold, and maybe even get a little better, for a number of years in a good cellar.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dense nose of espresso and printer's ink, with notes of plum and spearmint. Medium- to full-bodied, with resolving tannins and balanced acidity. The oak has integrated well, and the primary fruit (mostly plum and tart cherry) shines through. Long length, with only slight bitterness on the finish. The last several bottles have been very consistent and drinking beautifully, and while there is no rush to open this, I'm not sure at this point there is much more upside to be gained.
Update: after a couple of hours or air, the initial volatility gives way to beautiful secondary notes of tobacco, the oak peeks through on the nose, and the sweetness of the fruit is accentuated on the palate. This pretty much confirms that the wine has hit its sweet spot. Give this a proper decant and enjoy!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tremendous wine, still young, but coming into its drinking window. Five hour decant. Deep, dark impenetrable color. Rip snorting, full throttle wine, wine with tremendous dark fruit, yet sweet tannins which benefited from the decant. Oak, smoke a little cedar. Starting to develop secondary notes. Long, long finish. I think RP was right on with this one, and it is just beginning to shine. Many more years to enjoy this beauty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle of wine is the vinous equivalent of a Christian miracle. The just opened bottle had a lighter bricky color and tasted prematurely and irrevocably oxidized, which was especially sad, as this 2004 vintage was one of the greatest for the Numanthia Termes wine. Yet the next day, the healed wine exhibits no oxidation. The color is a darker purple, and the wine features a delicious red and black cherry fruit along with a smooth texture and excellent concentration. And the moral is, never pour away a wine that tastes bad without giving it a second and even third chance to recover over the next 2 days, as ye who place their faith in wine may be blessed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Note: I use a rating scale for which 85 represents a very good wine.
Not nearly as impressive as I thought it would be -- Parker gave it a 94. Maybe he gets special bottles. Certainly a very good wine, and it might be that it needs a few more years. The remnants I had on Day 2 were richer and more open the glasses on Day 1 -- despite reasonable (1 hr) decant.
If you are drinking this now (2016), I think a good 3, maybe 4 or 5 hours would help.
I seem to have a "slow cellar" -- maybe this accounts for the meaningful differences between my experience and that of some others.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of plum, tobacco, mineral, spicy oak, vanilla, dried cherry. On the palate, blackberry, dried cherry, anise, dark chocolate, pepper. Long finish with a little bit of heat. This should drink well for a while. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very consistent with the last few bottles tasted. Dense nose of espresso, plum and menthol. Full-bodied, primary, redolent with sweet red fruit, with a tannic bite on the finish. As mentioned previously, the wall of tannins has softened to the point where this is now drinking very well. Could probably use a bit more time, but this is really enjoyable, and not showing any signs of fading (quite the opposite, in fact).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still almost impenetrably dark, with thin, purple rim. Inviting nose, redolent of sweet plum, asian spice and sassafras, showing no age at all. While the wine still has a tannic bite, it has softened considerably over the past few years and is now in a good place for drinking, even without a long decant. Full-bodied with balanced acidity and soft tannins, showing plenty of cherry and plum upfront and a slightly tannic, bitter finish. Good length. Really enjoying this one.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Age has served this well! Drinking beautifully now. Lush blueberry and cranberry nose with smooth tannins. Medium finish and low acidity. Overall a joy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent with my last note: this has really opened up beautifully and is drinking very well, even without a long decant. Slightly off-dry on the attack, with loads of ripe, sweet red fruit offset by balanced acidity and loads of soft tannins. Still very primary and fresh, showing a judicious use of oak. This has now turned into a rather food friendly wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seems like this has finally turned a corner. Right out of the gate, there is a dense nose of dark fruit, vanilla, star anise and fresh mint. Slightly off-dry on the attack, but otherwise dry, with balanced acidity. The tannins are still there, but much less distracting than when I last tasted this over a year ago. The fruit is singing, and there is no real sign of aging. Properly stored, this should keep well for many more years. Ideally wait a bit longer for the tannins to integrate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hour decant. This is really (and finally!) hitting its stride. Still dense and plush but now less fierce, with plenty of dark and nuanced fruit making this alluring, endlessly deep, and interesting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ok. My bottle was huge and tannic on the first day. I re-corked the bottle and rechecked it daily. At 3 days sitting corked on my counter it emerged has a smooth, rich and satisfying wine. It will never be subtle, but this has serious structure. I will wait 2 years to try another bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2004 Termes is a prime example of why a great winery cannot be defined simply as a winery that makes great wines. Numanthia makes three levels of wines of which the Termes is their introductory and least expensive wine, which I have often bought in the $16-$19 range. What great wineries do is not just make world class top ranked wines, but consistently make a top quality wine relative to every price point they offer. Every level of Numanthia is so incredibly good among its competition that it serves as an ambassador inviting one to try the more expensive ones. What Numanthia consistently delivers is a huge leap in quality for every jump in price. The 2004 Termes is simply one of the best vintages I have ever had, with mouthfilling richness and a classic high level balance of fruit, acid, and tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured and was not at all impressed. Let it sit for a couple of hours and came back to it and low and behold it had settled down. A sweet nose of black cherry, licorice, hints of vanilla and a little earthiness leads way to a big broad shouldered wine with a prominent dose of spicy black fruits and coffee which linger on the palate along with a little heat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for two hours, this was our first bottle from a case purchased on release and properly stored. It was deeply colored with dark fruit aromas jumping out as I decanted. My first thought was that it will be too powerful for ham steaks and corn on the cob; and it was. This is a big boy that would be better suited to steaks, roasts, or hearty stews. On first pour, it was showing sweet black & blue fruits with an earthy vein, oak, graphite, damp coffee grounds, and leaf tobacco. The alcohol was very prominent in the finish and the tannins were on the rough side. By the last sip, it was almost like drawing a wood rasp across my tongue. (Well, that might be an exaggeration but you get the idea.) This is not a flawed wine and there is a lot going on; it just doesn't come together well now. I would hope that a few more years (and some pixie dust) might bring some charm to its rustic persona but last nights bottle left me a bit skeptical and very disappointed. I would not buy more of this now even at my original under $30 cost and the current WS prices of $70-90 is laughable. I have had other modern Spanish reds for less than $20/btl that provided more drinking pleasure.
UPDATE: 9/18/2013 This bottle was decanted for two hours and re-bottled before taking to a BYOB restaurant. Half the bottle was consumed with the main dinner course and the remainder re-corked and put in the fridge when we got back home. At the restaurant, it seemed to be marginally better than the first bottle but still a little disjointed and tight. It was none the less enjoyable with my flank steak. The refrigerated remainder was consumed 2 days later with some hard cheeses and it had a much better showing. The tannins seemed less assertive and less tense overall. I disagree with those recommending near term drinking. My opinion now is that it has the makings to be very good but is in need of a few more years aging to assemble itself. I still find it hard to give this a point score though.
UPDATE:0 1/09/2016 This was double decanted for 2.5 hours leaving a medium amount of sediment. It seemed little changed from two years ago. Still tight and wound up on first pour, it took another hour before beginning to open up in the glass. It seems to have everything needed to be an excellent wine when everything falls into place. I will wait another two years before trying it again. 92+ points considering the upside potential
Drank alongside a 2004 Numanthia (their middle bottling). Great side by side. Coming along and already here, the tannins are almost resolved and the flavors are wonderful. Drink the last bottle of my case in 2 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Far exceeded my expectations. Big wine that is mostly about the delicious dark fruit. Tannins are present but not obtrusive. Fruit is big but not overripe. Held up well over 3 days. Should have bought a couple more bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep purple rich wine. Drank over two nights. Tannins are blowing off so may not get much better. Decaying fruit with graphite. Solid wine but not spectacular.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Surprisingly good; really starting to come into its own. Corked it without preserve for 48 hours and revisited on night 3 to find it plenty oxidized. Est plateau 2015-2020.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I decanted this one about 3 hours ahead of time and it made a BIG difference. The tannins were still quite rough, but the underlying flavors came through much better: menthol, tobacco, plum - lots of interesting stuff going on, and the oak is not at all distracting. In fact, it seems that the wine might be really terrific now, were it not for those tannins... I'm still long on this, but I really hope the tannins will resolve within the next couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby - almost purple. Nose of blueberry and toasted oak. Massive amounts of astringent tannins upfront are very distracting, though it is possible to tell there is still plenty of fruit underneath. Acidity is balanced. Apart from the wall of tannins, there is some licorice, plum, smoke, and blueberry. I suspect it will take a while before the tannins resolve, and whether there will still be any fruit at that time is anybody's guess at this point. Right now, there is potential, but it is hard to love this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP. Deep blue/black color. Dark fruit and oak on the nose, which carried through to the palate along with some earth notes. Tannins beginning to soften but remain firm; will probably be better in a couple of years, and has the fruit to get there. Borderline fruit bomb, but very well made and enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ripe nose with chocolate, decomposing vegetation, and ripe berries. The palate is hefty but full of bright red berries and a little sweet chocolate. Lots of oak though. Drying finish. Good for what it is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted over three days. Pop & Pour: explosive bouquet with deep fruit and earth, and at first swelling with dark fruit but then, by 30 minutes, exhibiting beautiful earthy minerality. Day two: wonderful with lamb; not a standout thriller or attention-grabber, just a big, structured, well-balanced, red-meat-friendly red. Day three: just a glass left in the bottle, used no preservative, still packing a fruit punch but tasting like it's been open a few days.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Didn't really enjoy this, but I suspect it may have been flawed in some way as it bore no resemblance to Termes I've had previously... very pruny, hot and disjointed, a bit harsh. Smelled a little like paint, and was somewhat port-like. Maybe age does that to these, but if that's the case I enjoyed it much more in its youth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep nose of pencil lead, plum, pine bark, sap....showing layers of depth on the nose. graphite, spice, mint....very dusty tannins. Fruit has disappeared....let's see how it ages from here!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nice nose of black fruit, espresso, earth, spice. On the palate, red and black currants, raspberry, cedar, mocha, spice. Finishes with nice acidity and smooth tannins. I actually preferred this in the flamboyance of youth, but it is still a very tasty well-made wine. Drink over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 30 minutes. A very big wine. Terroir shows thru. Dark, earthy, and rustic with black cherries, dark chocolate, and coffee. Hearty and tannic so make sure to have some red meat nearby. Good balance and length. Very well made with lots of substance, though ultimately it just didn't excite me. Third bottle I've had and as with the others, I found lots to like but little to love.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep rich almost black color. This is big and rich with an inviting sweetness in the bouquet and on the palate. Unctuously coats the mouth. Purchased a case a few years ago and it seems to have finally hit its stride. Patience was finally rewarded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
decanted for about 90 minutes, had with a smoked flank steak. Nice bottle that had a nose of dark fruit with a touch of cocoa. On the palate this wine is big, with the tannins still going strong, and black fruit mixed with expresso. A nice wine that still has a ways to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Termes keeps getting better. This $20 gem is a crowd pleaser. Deep jammy, berry notes with a hint of smoke on the backend. Tannins are holding together well. A bottle for at least another 5 years. 10 more bottles in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is the last of a three-bottle lot consumed over the years and, for me, the least enjoyable of the group, although it still is a crowd-pleaser (the first bottle finished off by a big group at an apres-ski party featuring numerous wines). I wouldn't say it is breaking up, but the fruit has lost vibrancy, which has been replaced with a jammy sweetness that doesn't suit me. Raspberry jam, chocolate, and spice cake on the palate and nose, with a lingering, but oversweet finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I haven't had a bottle of the 2004 Termes for several years. Ran across this blast from the past in a local wine shop (what was it doing there?). Dark, clear ruby. Nose of smoke, blackberry, vanilla, and bell pepper. Full ripe dry palate of blackberry, tar, spice, and a little hint of green. Fresh acidity. Very good length. Supple tannins. Tame oak. Nice balance. Drinking well! I still like the '06 Termes better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Too much wood on night one, but was hitting on all cylinders by night two; succulent berry fruit, asphalt and minerals encased in a well balanced but firm tannin/acid structure. Plenty of stuffing for further development in bottle. Such great fruit here, hopefully it's enough to absorb the oak with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark garnet color. Blueberry fruit really comes through strong with other dark fruit notes showing later. A bit of an earthy aspect with smoke as well on the nose. Mouth-coating texture with the blueberry lingering. Long finish. My one knock on this wine is that there is a slightly medicinal aspect to it at first. That faded for me after being open for about an hour. I agree with others that this will certainly last a few more years with no issues. Not sure how much better its going to get much better than this. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pleasant and better after about 4 hours decant. Still slightly tannic and not all that robust. May benefit from slightly more cellar time. Reasonable value
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is still very young but after being open for about 4 hours it was starting to show its' potential. Dark fruit, tar and earthy flavors started to peak through the tanin. I'll try it again tonight and see if it held together. In a couple of more years this should show really nice. For the price I wish I had picked up a case.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. The bottle seemed off with thin flavors. Capped and left for four days. This is much better now, filled in with great flavor of black fruit, espresso, vanilla, and spice. Finishes with smooth tannins but lacked some of the crisp acidity, may have been left too long. Still outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep, smoky, laden with layers of mystery and discovery, if you are willing to put in the time to wait for the essence of the fruit to unreel from the core and outlast the tannins that grip as if their lives depended on it. Then, when you get to know each other, through perseverance, mutual respect emerges.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Started out rather dense, muted and monolithic, but it opened up very nicely over 3-4 hours and was at its best near the end, showing increasing complexity, acidity and balance as it evolved. A year or two ago, I wasn't sure which direction this was going, but last night's bottle had me thinking these will still improve over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep purple with crimson edges. Vinturied and decanted for over an hour (which these really need). Expressive nose with surprisingly up-front fruit (where I was expecting earth/herbs). I initially sensed some of the minerality that I'm not into but it wasn't at all elevated and settled down with time; turning to a more intriguing wet stone & underbrush. Unfortunately, the roundness and the full finish, which was there in hour 2, faded - turning noticeably dry and clipped. The first of these '04's, drank 19mos. ago, left a better impression on me. Perhaps I like them younger. Will pledge to drink an '06 soon, to clarify but for now, I couldn't give it much more than an 89.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice structure and balance, like the first bottle 11 months ago. This wine is a very dark maroon with lots of back fruit on the palate. Glad I've two bottles lefts. Hard to beat for the $17.91 they cost me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Inky purple look, with very good fruit up front, lively, powerful mouth feel, drinking very well at this young age. Good structure so should last for years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: Dark purple Nose: Big wine with Cherry, earth tones, plum Taste: Huge wine with medium tannins (decant this one) and cherry, mineral, plum, oak, violets, earthy tones Finish: Extremely long and balanced wine Evaluation: This is one of the better values out of Spain and should cellar for 10 plus years. 92 points
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Best bottle yet. Black currant, blackberry, plum, black cherry, boysenberry, espresso, cedar, vanilla, mocha. On the palate, blackberry, black currant, black raspberrry, vanilla, cedar, leather, mocha. Great creamy mouthfeel and structure. This has settled in very nicely. I think it has a little more upside but it is a superb drink today. Outstanding. Superb value. Drink or hold
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pours an inky-purple color, nearly opaque. Aromas of berries immediately burst from the glass, as it calms down and I dare put my nose near the glass, I get some floral touches and whiffs of toasty oak with the heady aromas of mixed berry compote. The palate is deceptively balanced and not, ultra-rich given the nose. Good balancing acid for the medium-to-full bodied wine. Very much in the modern style, and very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was prompted to open a bottle earlier than I had planned based on positive tasting notes. Dark inky purple, nearly black. Muted nose which starts to reveal itself with time. Clean, oaky and tannic on the palate. Even with a few hours in a decanter, this seems to need more time. oh, and did I say tannic? Let remaining bottles rest a couple years 89 points now, with a good bit of upside potential.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nose of blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry, plum, scorched earth, espresso, spicy oak, vanilla, cedar. On the palate, blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, spicy oak, mocha, cedar. Great structure and mouthfeel. Outstanind. Drink or hold. Tremendous value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
scorched earth, graphite and tight blackberry fruits dominate this powerful, intense bottling. Interesting, but after a while it is tiring like music that is too loud.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Shouldn't be drinking this yet, but too good to pass up now. Black fruit, scorched earth, espresso, spicy oak, vanilla, cedar. On the palate, blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, spicy oak, mocha. Nice balanced finished with great structure and mouthfeel. Oustanding. Drink over the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The first thing I noticed was the oak, it wasn't overwhelming but was the first thing I recognized. The oak was mixed well with the dark fruits and pepper. I'm writing this note a day + from my last sip so those are the qualities which made a lasting impression.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Natasha's Birthday weekend; 6/11/2009-6/13/2009 (Cabin on Mt. Hood): Decanted three and a half hours. Surprisingly quite subdued nose. A bit of oak and pepper spice. Jammy on the mid-palate, reduced fruits, pepper, but this is not over the top at all... all these flavors are very soft. I haven't had a bottle of this in over two years, and this one isn't anywhere near the tight rock that last one was. This is actually fairly delicious, and not really over the top fruit (though the oak is still slightly high for my liking). While this has plenty of years of evolution ahead of it, I'd definitely say the drinking window is open now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP and enjoyed over two nights. Dark berries, spice, choco/vanilla and some mineral on the nose. On the palate this is still wound pretty tight, but the components are all in balance. Even on night 2 the tannins were a bit hard and the deep, dark fruit pretty unidimensional. I can see this improving with a few years. 89+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seems to be developing nicely; ample red fruit in a very well balanced package for such a big wine; oak is integrated, alcohol is not obvious and tannins are firm but sweet. Great acidity keeps the fruit from getting too sticky. Not super complex, but very tasty. This is a great option when in the mood for a big red.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I think this wine is in a little bit of a "dumb" phase right now. All the parts are showing nicely, but it's a little disjointed. That being said I think this wine will be great in 3 to 5 more years and can go another 15. ( I also must admit I did not give it as much of a decant at the last time I had it which really played a factor).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great bottle of wine that just keeps getting better and better. Dark, almost black in color. Nose of black cherry, black raspberry and some strawberry. Palate is a touch oaky, but not over done with blackberry, cherry and leather. Tannins are moderate leading to a lengthy finish. One of the best QPRs in a long time!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
had this in a restaurant and it was beautiful. It went so well with the filet and lamb dishes. I have never smelled cookie dough in a wine before but it was ringing so true on this wine. Loved it, all the beauty of spanish wine was in this glass from oak treatment to high acid and full throttle alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent with previous note from 2007. Beautiful dark plum color to the rim, clear throughout. Gorgeous nose of asian spice, mocha and dark red fruit that follows through on the palate. Great structure and balance with firm tannins still very much to the fore. Recorked and kept balance of bottle in fridge 1 day, finished last 2 glasses tonight without any obvious change from day one. Give it 3 to 5 more years before trying another. Fair amount of sediment in bottle and glass when finished. Unbelieveable value considering the sub $25 price.It is hard to believe this is their entry level wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Checking back in with this wine to see its development. Popped and poured ont his one On the nose black fruits, scorched earth, espresso, spicky oak. On the palate, blackberry, black respberry, black cherry, vanilla, mocha, spicy oak. Really starting to come into balance with a dry finish of tannins and balanced acidity. Great structure and mouthfeel. Oustanding wine. Tremendous value. Hold for one more year and drink over the next 10 - 12 after that.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep purple color. Firm tannins, dark fruit, coffee and generally well balanced. Nice mouthfeel. Drank over a few days and the wine held well. Good wine and an excellent value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
May have been an off bottle. Seemed slightly oxidized and not nearly as vibrant as other notes indicate. Still a huge tannic wine with lots of cocoa, coffee, and concentrated dark fruits. Try again in a year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The color is a vibrant purple with a brightness to its hue. The nose reminds me of coco dusted black and blue berries, spice and toasted oak. The attack is a viscous dark fruit and expresso, but becomes a bit hollow in the mid-palate. The finish returns with a vengeance, showing a long full dose of a coffee liquor flavor. Overall a great wine for the price but it still needs more time to fully come together. The alcohol is out of balance with the smooth tannins and medium acidity. For me this is a 2010 wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Probably opened this a bit early. Nice smoky, chocolate berry nose. Rather grippy tannins, lots of flavor. Good acidity and long finish. Hard to evaluate right this moment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A wine that needs more time in bottle. Very tannic - tight - but it appears to have the ability to age and improve. This wine could be a 95 pt or 80 pt wine time will tell.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is not as tannic as others stated, the tannins are well integrated. I agree with this comment "On the palate there are mouth-coating tannins that dry that make even your teeth feel dry, but they're not sharp and bitter." Perfect discription by vivaitalia. Lacks a little bit of complexity and became a little less enjoyable as the night went on. Definately needed air but I think one or two glasses is all you can handle of this on the pallet. Probably needs more time in the botte.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Developed well over the last 18 months. More open knit and hedonistic this time around. Lots of dark fruit, oak, a bit of pepper, and surprisingly balanced for the alcohol and extract. Still tannic, but integrated and round. Ultimately, however, it lacks the complexity of the better new world power reds. And it got tiresome by the last glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
As with prior vintages this wine is a great value in hedonistic and powerful reds. Lots of everything (including tannin) but still drinking very nice right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
No real change from a bottle from about 6 months ago. Chewily tannic, lots of red fruit, touch of chemical/bitter, acid there but hidden behind the wood. Still not sure what to make of it - definitely not resolved yet. For me, not much enjoyment yet, so unless one is drinking this to track changes, hold off till at least 2009.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for six hours prior to first sip. Deep color almost black. On the nose, big black fruits, scorched dirt, espresso. On the palate, the black fruits repeat, blackberry, black raspberry, boynsenberry. a smokey oak/vanilla flavor. Wonderful acidic finish with sturdy tannins and some oak. Very impressive, this will change a lot over its lifetime. Screaming value. I can see this hitting 95-96 pts when it is in its true drinking window, which is at least 2 years out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
After decanting for four hours there was an explosive nose of black fruits and toast with some nice vanilla. On the palate there are mouth-coating tannins that dry that make even your teeth feel dry, but they're not sharp and bitter. I'm usually a hater of oak but it was perfectly integrated on this wine giving it a lovely toasty and smokeyness as well as nice chocolate and vanilla. Pretty long, fruity finish. A 94 for me at that point. I thought it would be even better the second day but it just died. I vac'd it and all but the toast, chocolate and vanilla were gone. Even worse the alcohol had taken over and ruined any other flavors that might have been left. Extremely disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I think this is ALMOST as good as it's sibling Numanthia...Lots of fruit up front with a long finish of vanilla and chocolate..Absolutely fantastic for $30.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Serious wine. Regardless of the low price. Not the Numanthia but then thats twice the price and argueably a JM 98. Back to the Termes. Tasted first time ..1 hour after double decant. Very nice but very tight .We were interupted and after 3 hours later drank with roast pork dinner. YES! The next time I will open and let sit at 65 dg for 5-6 hours beforetasting. This wine has a long life.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I took this to my cousin's plot warming party. This is the wine I intend to serve in my wedding, so I was dying to try it. The purplest color I have seen in a long time, this almost looks artificially colored! The nose is very flowery (violets?), offering additional black fruit aromas. There is an attractive smokiness and a full body that is neither heavy nor tannic. This was a hit with many. i was gladly suprised it wasn't as rustuc and structured as other Toros.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep, sweet, dense, thick purple fruit. Notes of clove, sweet woody tannins, coffee. This is a solid wine with nice light baking spice outskirts. Lots of chewy fruit, but not an empty fruit bomb. This has the depth and weight to keep everything together. Still could integrate some of the sawdusty wooden tannins, but not bad to drink now. Still, I'd sit on them for a bit longer. B/B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Finally opened one to see what I thought. Decanted for one hour prior to first sip. First impression, huge nose of black fruit, boysenberry, blackberry, and black raspberry. On the palate it is a little different, the black fruits repeat, the oak is prevalent and some fairly sturdy tannins appear on a long finish. The wine is wonderfully structured, thick, full bodied. I have definitely committed infanticide tonight. Outstanding wine, great potentional. Hold. 93-96 pts It will be very interesting to watch this one evolve. Screaming QPR
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
im beginning to realize just how good this wine really is. regal nose, thick, full bodied, smooth, concentrated. the palate is a journey, the finish long and seductive. did not improve overnight however.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not sure what to make of this. Deep color, opaque red and purple. Vibrant nose, then on the palate tons of wood with lots of tannins (gives you that tanninc chewyness in the back of your throat). Acidity is low or lost in the other stuff. A touch of heat on the finish, which is long. Seems disjointed; it has all the elements of a really good wine, but doesn't integrate them well at this point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
good wine, needs some time - and rounds into a medium/full bodied wine with black fruit and sweet berry nose, good length. 100% worth the $$ but not worth the hype though IMO
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really impressive wine which stunned me right off the bat with its inky, rich color. The palate is diverse, revealing red fruits at the start, changing over to spice and caramel on the finish. Great balance, with the tannins not overly firm considering its relative youth (although I had opened the bottle about 5 hrs prior to consumption, so maybe that leveled things out). The nose is reasonably impressive, recalling raspberries and blackberries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Inky color. The nose is very California Cab, leading to the shocking taste of a very closed, but complicated, wine. The tannins are very up front, and the fruit is very much in the background, but after an hour or two in the glass, it opens up and becomes much more balanced. A $20 bottle that deserves cellaring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured and followed over about 8 hours the first night. Huge, fullbodied, brawny wine with enormous, overhwhelming structure. There is fruit present, but it is buried by mouth drying tannins and toasted oak. Fruit seemed scorched as if from a very hot vintage/region. The finish shows quite a bit of heat - combination of alcohol and oak spice mostly. This became more enjoyable when paired with a grilled burger. A last glass saved for the next night showed the fruit pushing towards raisiny/porty. Not enjoyable now - far too young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted the wine for 30 mins. Needed at least 3 or 4 hours. However, this was an excellent wine, period. Large, large nose blackberry, currant. I think it will be more refined with more time in the bottle (or the decanter). Great, QPR. I will definitely buy again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full bodied clean, clear fruit with pretty floral and strawberry undertones. Smooth and pure. Alcohol too evident on finish with juicy tacky tannins. Very nice, will get better in a few years. B/B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We had a few bottles of this when it first came out and thought it was great. Now though, I agree with all the comments about the tannins being too strong. One sip made me run for water. I've never had a wine dry my mouth out so quickly. Young petite syrah is a great descriptor for this wine right now. It got a little better after 2 hours, but probably needs 5-6 hours in a decanter right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great QPR. Beautiful translucent ruby red color, bursting at the seams with red fruit and spice, but also with noticable tannins that bode several years of life ahead. JP
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 30 minutes. This beast needs to be tamed by time. I would definitely guess this as a Cali Petite Sirah blind. It reminds me a lot of the Rosenblum Heritage Clones Petite Sirah as far as voluptuousness. Jammy blueberry and dark fruits assault the palate, yet it remains refined even in its young life. Tannins are a bit harsh at first - with some air, the wine opens up. I think this wine will really be something special down the line, dont be afraid to pop the cork on one now after giving this some air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was opened at 11:00 for a tasting at a store and I got there at 2:45, so it should have been aerated by the constant dishing out of small pours. It was as tight as any wine I have ever had. It was as though there was this mass of flavors that had been concentrated into a single point by the gravitational forces of a black hole. The only wine I remember that was like that was a 2000 La Fleur de Jaugue that I couldn't wait to try and opened on the day I brought the futures case home. The Termes had cherry, pepper, other spice, terroir minerals, oak, and even a whiff of the vanilla you get with oaky CA chardonnays. I do not have enough verticle experience to be able to say what this wine will be like in a few years with any degree of certainty, but if it opens up right, it will be excellent. I bought one bottle just to find out. If it turns out well, I will look for more, but the price will probably be trippled by then. Maybe we will get lucky with improving exchange rates.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Solid wine with plenty of dense chewy fruit. Bright high tones, solid base. Notes of tobacco, violet, peppers, plum. Fine sweet tannins. Could use a little time to come together, but drinking well now too. Very nice. Has a tangy spritzy note that I hope will fade. B/B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was enticed into opening one after reading jdunnuck's enthusiastic note and am excited to agree wholeheartedly. This is a seriously endowed wine with well balanced big fruit, big oak, big tannin, big acid and a killer mineral streak that almost sears the palate. A fabulous wine that will be exciting to open over the next decade and more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought from a wine list at a Mediteranian restaurant. Very tight at first, but with about a half hour to an hour of decanting, this started opening up. After about an hour, this wine was singing. No "real" notes as it was over dinner with my wife and sister-in-law, but this is a very nice wine given the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rich purplely color. Smells of fresh barrel more than fruit. Inviting on the front end, blueberry dominated black fruit melange. A bit choppy in the mouth, unsettled. Rather drying tannins, make that very drying appear onthe finish. If the tannins subside a bit, I can see the attraction. Definitely new worldish. Did not get any airtime and followed for an hour, decant next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served directly from the cellar. Quick notes as this was several bottles into the evening. Fairly firm tannins and this one needs time in the bottle to see how it evolves over time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just a modern styled Spanish red - I'm not so blown away by it. Very tough tannins, even after 2 hrs in the decanter. Not a bad wine to have open but i won't be getting more. Dark cherry, plum and oak. Maybe day 2 will be better.......AND.......it was a touch better the next day, more fruit, less oak, smoother tannins and a touch of mint.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Glad we gave an hour to start to open up, but it developed real well in the glass after that as well. Big blackberry/blueberry up front with clove, black pepper, and cinnamon stick undertones. The acidity and soft tannic backbone tells me maybe drink over the next 5-6 years...cool stuff, the best Termes since the 1999!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had just a taste at a wine bar and found it WAY too young and closed at this point. Maybe decanting and/or aging will do wonders for this, but right now i found it unenjoyable with heavy tannins and obvious alcohol. Wait on it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full bodied, fairly well balanced, and nice concentration of dark fruit, but simple and monolithic. Not much of a finish. Still, it's a decent buy at $20.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasty stuff. A little monolithic out of the bottle, but gained complexity with air. Zesty, spicy red fruit profile. Very international and straightforward in style, but satisfying nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
New category of wines : Talking Heads wines. "Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was." This wine is another one which really doesn't change from year to year - monochromatic fruit, noticable bourbon-y oak nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Red Blooded Spanish (Farpointe Cellar): This wine was pretty good, but not worth the $27 price tag. The nose had some nice cherry and plum fruit that was mixed with a bit of spice and vanilla. There was also the slightest hint of soil. The palate was very silky, with red fruit flavors and spice. The tannins were very firm, but the finish was not as long as I would have liked.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/27/2023 - forceberry wrote: 79 Points
100% Tinta del Toro aka. Tempranillo, Aged for 16 months in second use barriques. 14,5% alcohol.
Moderately evolved and quite translucent figgy-red. The nose feels rich and somewhat tired with tertiary aromas of dried dates and meat stew, some leathery tones, a little bit of oxidative soy sauce, light nuances of beef jerky and a sweet hint of ripe and soft dark plums. The wine is fat, chewy and sweet-toned on the palate with a very full body and bold, evolved flavors of strawberry jam and wizened dark plums, some gamey tones, a little bit of blueberry jelly, light oxidative notes of soy sauce and beef jerky, a lifted hint of minty greenness and a touch of ripe boysenberries. The wine is quite low in acidity, but the assertive, extracted tannins lend quite a bit of grip and firmness to the mouthfeel. The finish is aged, juicy and quite grippy with some alcohol warmth and a medium-long aftertaste of ripe dark fruits, some oxidative notes of soy sauce and beef jerky, a little bit of dried dates, light pruney tones, a hint of leather and a touch of strawberry jam.
A huge, fat and excessively ripe Tempranillo that is getting too old for its own good. While there is still some of that very ripe and concentrated fruit left here, most of it has evolved into this sweet, pruney mess, and what still remains is starting to get overwhelmed by the oxidative notes of soy sauce and beef jerky. There's no denying that the wine is impressively big - huge, even - but the acidity feels nowhere near sufficient to lend good sense of balance or structure to the wine. Fortunately the ample and quite grippy tannins still manage to lend some sense of firmness to the texture - otherwise the wine would feel just gloopy raisin juice. All in all, it feels like this wine must've been much better some ten years ago - and it is entirely possible we just had a prematurely evolved bottle - but I doubt the wine was particularly harmonious or balanced even in its youth. Can't say this wine managed to win me over.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2022 - bootaylor76 Likes this wine:
Definitely couldn’t go any longer in the cellar. Nice berry fruits with hints of vanilla coming thru. Great qpr ratio
Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2022 - stoneb Likes this wine: 90 Points
Brief decant for considerable sediment. Deep purple color. Black fruit and earth on nose and palate; tannin mostly resolved but still a bit of grip. An excellent wine from a fine vintage, but was better a couple of years ago. I'll finish my remaining couple of bottles over the next few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2022 - MRichman wrote:
Really good and drinking well. Good solid fruit. Drink over the next 5-8 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2022 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Similar to prior notes after decanting; delicious & went well with pizza, drink
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2021 - Rollerball wrote:
Superb right now. Still vibrant; modestly dense but now fully open with surprising balance; a dash of complexity of age but no "aged" notes; plenty of understated dark fruit with acidity to support. Utterly outshone a 2009 Malescot St Exupery when each had only an hour's aeration.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/2/2021 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Similar to prior note; very good, drink
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2021 - mwneil Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dinner with friends V&T (My house): Slight bouquet, it opened up nicely with good fruit and lots of complexity created by age, not a showy wine but drank easily, dark color, drank with magret of duck, we drank it after a big Denner wine so it it a bit for our palates to readjust, would drink again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2021 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Double decanted for 2 hrs, deep ruby with brick rim, dark fruit, med. tannins & finish; very good & ready to drink
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2021 - vinole wrote: 91 Points
Time has served this wine well, as its fruit forward style has been tamed, yet the dark fruit remains quite present and balanced from a surprisingly good structure of tannin and acidity. Few wines under $20 can age this gracefully, but Spain has a knack for that. Can certainly last a number of years longer, but I would drink in the near term, as the tannins may outlast the fruit.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2020 - DesMarteau wrote:
still in a strange place...will let my 5 remaining age longer. Smells like nail polish remover upon opening...blows off...muted fruit and strong tar...overnight changes again....gets more into balance...dark cherry and spice...tar dissipates. tough wine to time lol.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2020 - MRichman wrote:
Strong, muscular, powerful wine. Nicely mature and mellowed a bit, but still packs a punch. Dark fruit. A full bodied, full fruited wine. Drink now or over the next 5 years. Really good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2019 - jonboy74 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tons of fruit, great tannic finish, great on the nose! Really wish I had more than one of these. Probably in its peak drinking window now, with 2-3 years before it begins to decline. Good stuff!!!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2019 - rm97 wrote: 93 Points
We finished this within 2 hours and I wish we had let it go for a little longer. The last glass was delicious. Several years of life in this one.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2019 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 93 Points
It took 2 -3 hours to open then it was integrated strong and long. Much softer than previous. Peak drinking for the next 3-5 years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2019 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great fruit, tannins resolving, nice secondary flavors, very civilized yet powerful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2019 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Bought a case on release for $18/ at Weimax in Burlingame. What a steal! Now on the seventh bottle and three years since the sixth. On the bouquet we found creosote, menthol, ripe raspberries, worcestershire; parched earth, fresh peeled birch, and char-roasted tomatoes. The palate is still youthful and concentrated--at least after two hours in a wide-based decanter--though its old fortress of tannins is starting to dissolve. The dense and staining flavors range from dried black cherry and blueberry to hot tar, flower petals, and medicinal roots with a mineral-infused finish. We were looking for an interesting pairing for redwine vinegar braised lentils with spicy flash-fried tofu, sweet potatoes, and avocado, and this definitely did the trick. The slow evolution and continued density here suggest a long life ahead -2027.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
11/21/2018 - thalver wrote: flawed
Flawed: A seeper. The cork showed a little red stain at its top, though the stains up the side of the cork didn't appear to go all the way to that point. A wall of tannin and nothing else. This was purchased at retail within a year of release and stored at proper temperature.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2018 - LARich Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious but starting to show age. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2018 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 93 Points
Let sit.... opens rough....moldy, off. Then disjointed Angular (tar, boysenberry) after 25 hours in a 375 vacuum pumped....shows its future. Amazing range and integration. Floral: blueberries, strawberries, cassis, spice, long finish....still young ...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2018 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
Totally mature and yet vibrant and powerful with a long and powerful gripping exit. Very old world and stately...Delicious! Drink or Hold
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2018 - MRichman wrote:
Dense, solid, packed wine with dark fruit, tobacco leaf and earth notes. A bit of high toned fruit, a bit sweet like blueberry, but overall on the darker side. Long finish. A fairly bold amount of oak, but it's tamed at this point. A bit on the hot side. A real mouthful of wine. Muscular. Ready to drink with years ahead of it. Very good, especially for the original price. Great to see a $25 bottle that can effortlessly age 14 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2017 - LARich wrote: 92 Points
Awesome toro and holding up extremely well. Dark cherry and light walnut with a hint of chocolate nose. Smooth finish and well integrated tannins. Can last another 5-10 years and only get better. What a deal!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2017 - mwneil Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark color, nice bouquet almost Bordeaux like, lots of flavor, balanced, good complexity but a bit heavy and the wine for all its technical excellence never sang for me, the wine has aged well, hard to believe it is 13 years old, my taste keeps evolving, drank with dry aged steaks, have 1more bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2017 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
This wine is aged and very vibrant! Very close to a perfectly aged Brunello. Lots of ripe fruit, with cedar, great acidity, followed by firm tannins. Tastes its age, finishes about 10 years younger. WOW! At peak. Drink!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2017 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good bottle of wine. Decanted 90 minutes prior to taking to Morcilla. My son thought the nose was blueberry. Inky purple. Deep plush purple fruit. Complex and maybe not as good as the Clio. Good finish. Still going strong.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2017 - rm97 wrote: 91 Points
Took 3 hours to open up and still dominated by tannins. Needs more time to age
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2017 - TashNYC wrote: 92 Points
Black fruit,espresso, coffee, tobacco, Oak and sweet tannins. Super tasty on its own. Would also be good with chicken, drink now or age, super QPR for $20 / bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2016 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big wine with temendous fruit, balance, plenty of tannins. Still young with many years to go. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2016 - mwneil Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good stuff, the wine has matured in the bottle but it still tasted fresh, great balance with spicy finish, dark color, smooth tannins, enjoyed with duck breast, have 2 more bottles to enjoy, this wine is usually a very good value, a big wine but has finesse brought on by age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2016 - stoneb wrote: 92 Points
PnP, but took about an hour to open up. Would decant that long in the future. Deep crimson clear to rim. Black and blue fruit on nose and palate with a bit of cigar box on finish. Sweet tannin with enough grip to keep the ripe fruit in check. I've had a number of these over the years and this was easily my best bottle. Drinking very well now (from 750ml) and should hold, and maybe even get a little better, for a number of years in a good cellar.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/9/2016 - Guy Des Rosiers Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dense nose of espresso and printer's ink, with notes of plum and spearmint. Medium- to full-bodied, with resolving tannins and balanced acidity. The oak has integrated well, and the primary fruit (mostly plum and tart cherry) shines through. Long length, with only slight bitterness on the finish. The last several bottles have been very consistent and drinking beautifully, and while there is no rush to open this, I'm not sure at this point there is much more upside to be gained.
Update: after a couple of hours or air, the initial volatility gives way to beautiful secondary notes of tobacco, the oak peeks through on the nose, and the sweetness of the fruit is accentuated on the palate. This pretty much confirms that the wine has hit its sweet spot. Give this a proper decant and enjoy!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2016 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tremendous wine, still young, but coming into its drinking window. Five hour decant. Deep, dark impenetrable color. Rip snorting, full throttle wine, wine with tremendous dark fruit, yet sweet tannins which benefited from the decant. Oak, smoke a little cedar. Starting to develop secondary notes. Long, long finish. I think RP was right on with this one, and it is just beginning to shine. Many more years to enjoy this beauty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2016 - Mossrose wrote: 93 Points
This bottle of wine is the vinous equivalent of a Christian miracle. The just opened bottle had a lighter bricky color and tasted prematurely and irrevocably oxidized, which was especially sad, as this 2004 vintage was one of the greatest for the Numanthia Termes wine. Yet the next day, the healed wine exhibits no oxidation. The color is a darker purple, and the wine features a delicious red and black cherry fruit along with a smooth texture and excellent concentration. And the moral is, never pour away a wine that tastes bad without giving it a second and even third chance to recover over the next 2 days, as ye who place their faith in wine may be blessed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2016 - John Nezlek wrote: 86 Points
Note: I use a rating scale for which 85 represents a very good wine.
Not nearly as impressive as I thought it would be -- Parker gave it a 94. Maybe he gets special bottles. Certainly a very good wine, and it might be that it needs a few more years. The remnants I had on Day 2 were richer and more open the glasses on Day 1 -- despite reasonable (1 hr) decant.
If you are drinking this now (2016), I think a good 3, maybe 4 or 5 hours would help.
I seem to have a "slow cellar" -- maybe this accounts for the meaningful differences between my experience and that of some others.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2016 - brooklynJ&O wrote: 86 Points
solid. I dont think it will improve. it didnt get better over time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2016 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose of plum, tobacco, mineral, spicy oak, vanilla, dried cherry. On the palate, blackberry, dried cherry, anise, dark chocolate, pepper. Long finish with a little bit of heat. This should drink well for a while. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2016 - Napacablover Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well right now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2016 - Rollerball wrote:
Decanted and drank immediate on request. Really could've used much more air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2016 - rm97 wrote: 90 Points
Needs time - 2+ years
Tannins very tough
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2015 - Guy Des Rosiers Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very consistent with the last few bottles tasted. Dense nose of espresso, plum and menthol. Full-bodied, primary, redolent with sweet red fruit, with a tannic bite on the finish. As mentioned previously, the wall of tannins has softened to the point where this is now drinking very well. Could probably use a bit more time, but this is really enjoyable, and not showing any signs of fading (quite the opposite, in fact).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2015 - vintage61 wrote: 89 Points
Still hard as a brick. Not sure if it is going to get there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2015 - Guy Des Rosiers Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still almost impenetrably dark, with thin, purple rim. Inviting nose, redolent of sweet plum, asian spice and sassafras, showing no age at all. While the wine still has a tannic bite, it has softened considerably over the past few years and is now in a good place for drinking, even without a long decant. Full-bodied with balanced acidity and soft tannins, showing plenty of cherry and plum upfront and a slightly tannic, bitter finish. Good length. Really enjoying this one.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2015 - LARich Likes this wine: 91 Points
Age has served this well! Drinking beautifully now. Lush blueberry and cranberry nose with smooth tannins. Medium finish and low acidity. Overall a joy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2015 - Eblum418 wrote:
Amazingly good, accidentally opened it with chipotle :)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2015 - Guy Des Rosiers Likes this wine: 90 Points
Consistent with my last note: this has really opened up beautifully and is drinking very well, even without a long decant. Slightly off-dry on the attack, with loads of ripe, sweet red fruit offset by balanced acidity and loads of soft tannins. Still very primary and fresh, showing a judicious use of oak. This has now turned into a rather food friendly wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2015 - Guy Des Rosiers Likes this wine: 90 Points
Seems like this has finally turned a corner. Right out of the gate, there is a dense nose of dark fruit, vanilla, star anise and fresh mint. Slightly off-dry on the attack, but otherwise dry, with balanced acidity. The tannins are still there, but much less distracting than when I last tasted this over a year ago. The fruit is singing, and there is no real sign of aging. Properly stored, this should keep well for many more years. Ideally wait a bit longer for the tannins to integrate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2015 - Rollerball wrote: 94 Points
Hour decant. This is really (and finally!) hitting its stride. Still dense and plush but now less fierce, with plenty of dark and nuanced fruit making this alluring, endlessly deep, and interesting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2015 - jimkay21 wrote: 87 Points
tannic but overly so. Fruit was lacking
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/14/2014 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ok. My bottle was huge and tannic on the first day. I re-corked the bottle and rechecked it daily. At 3 days sitting corked on my counter it emerged has a smooth, rich and satisfying wine. It will never be subtle, but this has serious structure. I will wait 2 years to try another bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2014 - Mossrose wrote: 93 Points
The 2004 Termes is a prime example of why a great winery cannot be defined simply as a winery that makes great wines. Numanthia makes three levels of wines of which the Termes is their introductory and least expensive wine, which I have often bought in the $16-$19 range. What great wineries do is not just make world class top ranked wines, but consistently make a top quality wine relative to every price point they offer. Every level of Numanthia is so incredibly good among its competition that it serves as an ambassador inviting one to try the more expensive ones. What Numanthia consistently delivers is a huge leap in quality for every jump in price. The 2004 Termes is simply one of the best vintages I have ever had, with mouthfilling richness and a classic high level balance of fruit, acid, and tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2014 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 88 Points
Underbrush, spices, wood and heat. Not real balanced and not a good 04 which is my favorite vintage from Spain. Disappointed. 84
Three hours later the change has begun. Blueberries, raspberries, spice, some heat and minerals. Upgraded to a 88.
Day 2 much more balanced but still has a bit of heat. Can't go above an 88 on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2014 - skibum819 Likes this wine: 92 Points
showing absolutely beautifully, rich, graceful and a pleasure to drink
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2014 - Napacablover Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was tight and musty upon opening but after a half hour it smelled and drank beautifully. What a nice Spanish wine should be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2014 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 90 Points
Adios, Amigo. 10 years after vintage, still outstanding. Bravo!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2014 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was really drinking wonderfully!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2013 - Donjcorleone wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured and was not at all impressed. Let it sit for a couple of hours and came back to it and low and behold it had settled down. A sweet nose of black cherry, licorice, hints of vanilla and a little earthiness leads way to a big broad shouldered wine with a prominent dose of spicy black fruits and coffee which linger on the palate along with a little heat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2013 - VTCellarDweller Likes this wine:
Decanted for two hours, this was our first bottle from a case purchased on release and properly stored. It was deeply colored with dark fruit aromas jumping out as I decanted. My first thought was that it will be too powerful for ham steaks and corn on the cob; and it was. This is a big boy that would be better suited to steaks, roasts, or hearty stews.
On first pour, it was showing sweet black & blue fruits with an earthy vein, oak, graphite, damp coffee grounds, and leaf tobacco. The alcohol was very prominent in the finish and the tannins were on the rough side. By the last sip, it was almost like drawing a wood rasp across my tongue. (Well, that might be an exaggeration but you get the idea.)
This is not a flawed wine and there is a lot going on; it just doesn't come together well now. I would hope that a few more years (and some pixie dust) might bring some charm to its rustic persona but last nights bottle left me a bit skeptical and very disappointed.
I would not buy more of this now even at my original under $30 cost and the current WS prices of $70-90 is laughable. I have had other modern Spanish reds for less than $20/btl that provided more drinking pleasure.
UPDATE: 9/18/2013
This bottle was decanted for two hours and re-bottled before taking to a BYOB restaurant. Half the bottle was consumed with the main dinner course and the remainder re-corked and put in the fridge when we got back home.
At the restaurant, it seemed to be marginally better than the first bottle but still a little disjointed and tight. It was none the less enjoyable with my flank steak. The refrigerated remainder was consumed 2 days later with some hard cheeses and it had a much better showing. The tannins seemed less assertive and less tense overall.
I disagree with those recommending near term drinking. My opinion now is that it has the makings to be very good but is in need of a few more years aging to assemble itself. I still find it hard to give this a point score though.
UPDATE:0 1/09/2016
This was double decanted for 2.5 hours leaving a medium amount of sediment. It seemed little changed from two years ago. Still tight and wound up on first pour, it took another hour before beginning to open up in the glass.
It seems to have everything needed to be an excellent wine when everything falls into place. I will wait another two years before trying it again. 92+ points considering the upside potential
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
7/26/2013 - rplumbo wrote:
Drank alongside a 2004 Numanthia (their middle bottling). Great side by side. Coming along and already here, the tannins are almost resolved and the flavors are wonderful. Drink the last bottle of my case in 2 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2013 - Napacablover wrote: 91 Points
Great everyday bottle of wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/13/2013 - chelmsford wrote: 92 Points
chocolate, herbs, chicory coffee, black fruit, big body. still fresh and young tasting
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2013 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice full bodied wine that is drinking well
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2013 - Armando B wrote: 91 Points
Far exceeded my expectations. Big wine that is mostly about the delicious dark fruit. Tannins are present but not obtrusive. Fruit is big but not overripe. Held up well over 3 days. Should have bought a couple more bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2013 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
Powerful and lovely, just entering maturity and should have a good future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2012 - ogres3 Likes this wine:
Deep purple rich wine. Drank over two nights. Tannins are blowing off so may not get much better. Decaying fruit with graphite. Solid wine but not spectacular.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2012 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Surprisingly good; really starting to come into its own. Corked it without preserve for 48 hours and revisited on night 3 to find it plenty oxidized. Est plateau 2015-2020.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2012 - ogres3 wrote:
Significantly better on night two, despite a 990 minute decant on night one. Rich earthy wine still with significant structure.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2012 - Guy Des Rosiers wrote: 89 Points
I decanted this one about 3 hours ahead of time and it made a BIG difference. The tannins were still quite rough, but the underlying flavors came through much better: menthol, tobacco, plum - lots of interesting stuff going on, and the oak is not at all distracting. In fact, it seems that the wine might be really terrific now, were it not for those tannins... I'm still long on this, but I really hope the tannins will resolve within the next couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/14/2012 - Guy Des Rosiers wrote: 87 Points
Deep ruby - almost purple. Nose of blueberry and toasted oak. Massive amounts of astringent tannins upfront are very distracting, though it is possible to tell there is still plenty of fruit underneath. Acidity is balanced. Apart from the wall of tannins, there is some licorice, plum, smoke, and blueberry. I suspect it will take a while before the tannins resolve, and whether there will still be any fruit at that time is anybody's guess at this point. Right now, there is potential, but it is hard to love this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2012 - ogres3 wrote:
Popped an poured. Lots of tannin and alcohol. Probably need to let it sit before drinking.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2012 - stoneb wrote: 90 Points
PnP. Deep blue/black color. Dark fruit and oak on the nose, which carried through to the palate along with some earth notes. Tannins beginning to soften but remain firm; will probably be better in a couple of years, and has the fruit to get there. Borderline fruit bomb, but very well made and enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2012 - Uglypinga wrote:
Ripe nose with chocolate, decomposing vegetation, and ripe berries. The palate is hefty but full of bright red berries and a little sweet chocolate. Lots of oak though. Drying finish. Good for what it is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2012 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Tasted over three days. Pop & Pour: explosive bouquet with deep fruit and earth, and at first swelling with dark fruit but then, by 30 minutes, exhibiting beautiful earthy minerality. Day two: wonderful with lamb; not a standout thriller or attention-grabber, just a big, structured, well-balanced, red-meat-friendly red. Day three: just a glass left in the bottle, used no preservative, still packing a fruit punch but tasting like it's been open a few days.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2012 - yui wrote: 93 Points
Better the day after. Still a biyt tannic, but good to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2012 - Grape_ape wrote:
Didn't really enjoy this, but I suspect it may have been flawed in some way as it bore no resemblance to Termes I've had previously... very pruny, hot and disjointed, a bit harsh. Smelled a little like paint, and was somewhat port-like. Maybe age does that to these, but if that's the case I enjoyed it much more in its youth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2012 - DesMarteau wrote: 91 Points
Deep nose of pencil lead, plum, pine bark, sap....showing layers of depth on the nose. graphite, spice, mint....very dusty tannins. Fruit has disappeared....let's see how it ages from here!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Nice nose of black fruit, espresso, earth, spice. On the palate, red and black currants, raspberry, cedar, mocha, spice. Finishes with nice acidity and smooth tannins. I actually preferred this in the flamboyance of youth, but it is still a very tasty well-made wine. Drink over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2012 - Redguy wrote: 89 Points
Decanted 30 minutes. A very big wine. Terroir shows thru. Dark, earthy, and rustic with black cherries, dark chocolate, and coffee. Hearty and tannic so make sure to have some red meat nearby. Good balance and length. Very well made with lots of substance, though ultimately it just didn't excite me. Third bottle I've had and as with the others, I found lots to like but little to love.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2012 - signotim wrote: 91 Points
Modern and plush up front yet firm and structured as well. This can go several more years easily.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2011 - WineShark wrote: 90 Points
Deep rich almost black color. This is big and rich with an inviting sweetness in the bouquet and on the palate. Unctuously coats the mouth. Purchased a case a few years ago and it seems to have finally hit its stride. Patience was finally rewarded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2011 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just a lush rich delicious bottle of wine with the unique terrior of Spain!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2011 - robnmo wrote: 90 Points
decanted for about 90 minutes, had with a smoked flank steak. Nice bottle that had a nose of dark fruit with a touch of cocoa. On the palate this wine is big, with the tannins still going strong, and black fruit mixed with expresso. A nice wine that still has a ways to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2011 - jimkay21 wrote: 90 Points
Very dark fruit, balanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2011 - aavello wrote: 92 Points
Termes keeps getting better. This $20 gem is a crowd pleaser. Deep jammy, berry notes with a hint of smoke on the backend. Tannins are holding together well. A bottle for at least another 5 years. 10 more bottles in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2011 - pgb67 wrote: 89 Points
This is the last of a three-bottle lot consumed over the years and, for me, the least enjoyable of the group, although it still is a crowd-pleaser (the first bottle finished off by a big group at an apres-ski party featuring numerous wines). I wouldn't say it is breaking up, but the fruit has lost vibrancy, which has been replaced with a jammy sweetness that doesn't suit me. Raspberry jam, chocolate, and spice cake on the palate and nose, with a lingering, but oversweet finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2011 - Wink wrote: 92 Points
I haven't had a bottle of the 2004 Termes for several years. Ran across this blast from the past in a local wine shop (what was it doing there?). Dark, clear ruby. Nose of smoke, blackberry, vanilla, and bell pepper. Full ripe dry palate of blackberry, tar, spice, and a little hint of green. Fresh acidity. Very good length. Supple tannins. Tame oak. Nice balance. Drinking well! I still like the '06 Termes better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2011 - aavello wrote: 92 Points
Silky tannin that are starting to pop (is that a wine). Leather, cherry and a hint of chocalate. NICCCE!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2011 - dirtyharry wrote: 92 Points
Consistently excellent. Better w/ age. One of my favorites.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2010 - DHJ1968 wrote:
Too much wood on night one, but was hitting on all cylinders by night two; succulent berry fruit, asphalt and minerals encased in a well balanced but firm tannin/acid structure. Plenty of stuffing for further development in bottle. Such great fruit here, hopefully it's enough to absorb the oak with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2010 - schliecker wrote: 91 Points
Dark garnet color. Blueberry fruit really comes through strong with other dark fruit notes showing later. A bit of an earthy aspect with smoke as well on the nose. Mouth-coating texture with the blueberry lingering. Long finish. My one knock on this wine is that there is a slightly medicinal aspect to it at first. That faded for me after being open for about an hour. I agree with others that this will certainly last a few more years with no issues. Not sure how much better its going to get much better than this. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2010 - GalvezGuy wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with 12/21/2009 notes. Only three of these left and they seem to have a lot of life in them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2010 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 87 Points
not nearly as excited as we expected very tight and didn't open a lot going forward
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2010 - dirtyharry wrote: 91 Points
Very big wine, rich w/supple tannins. Long finish. excellent mouthfeel
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2010 - WDK wrote: 94 Points
Tremendous value. Rich, ripe, thick and long with terriffic balance of fruit, acid and ripe tannin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2010 - kennyg wrote: 85 Points
Pleasant and better after about 4 hours decant. Still slightly tannic and not all that robust. May benefit from slightly more cellar time. Reasonable value
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2010 - el borracho wrote: 93 Points
Very youthful. These Termes always seem to exceed my expectations. At a great point, but could hang another 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2010 - RKatzDO wrote:
Not ready. Wait a couple more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2010 - g-man wrote: 90 Points
This is still very young but after being open for about 4 hours it was starting to show its' potential. Dark fruit, tar and earthy flavors started to peak through the tanin. I'll try it again tonight and see if it held together. In a couple of more years this should show really nice. For the price I wish I had picked up a case.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2010 - GalvezGuy wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. The bottle seemed off with thin flavors. Capped and left for four days. This is much better now, filled in with great flavor of black fruit, espresso, vanilla, and spice. Finishes with smooth tannins but lacked some of the crisp acidity, may have been left too long. Still outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2010 - theoves wrote: 90 Points
A very big, dark wine. Intense. Should be able to cellar for many more years. Deep, dark red fruit flavor. Very long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2010 - burgbob wrote: 91 Points
Solid well balanced wine lacking the elegance for a higher score. Mouthfilling though and very tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2010 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 90 Points
Deep, smoky, laden with layers of mystery and discovery, if you are willing to put in the time to wait for the essence of the fruit to unreel from the core and outlast the tannins that grip as if their lives depended on it. Then, when you get to know each other, through perseverance, mutual respect emerges.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2010 - Counselor Chris wrote: 91 Points
Started out rather dense, muted and monolithic, but it opened up very nicely over 3-4 hours and was at its best near the end, showing increasing complexity, acidity and balance as it evolved. A year or two ago, I wasn't sure which direction this was going, but last night's bottle had me thinking these will still improve over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2010 - golfwine wrote: 89 Points
Deep purple with crimson edges. Vinturied and decanted for over an hour (which these really need). Expressive nose with surprisingly up-front fruit (where I was expecting earth/herbs). I initially sensed some of the minerality that I'm not into but it wasn't at all elevated and settled down with time; turning to a more intriguing wet stone & underbrush. Unfortunately, the roundness and the full finish, which was there in hour 2, faded - turning noticeably dry and clipped. The first of these '04's, drank 19mos. ago, left a better impression on me. Perhaps I like them younger. Will pledge to drink an '06 soon, to clarify but for now, I couldn't give it much more than an 89.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2010 - mdaniel wrote: 92 Points
Nice structure and balance, like the first bottle 11 months ago. This wine is a very dark maroon with lots of back fruit on the palate. Glad I've two bottles lefts. Hard to beat for the $17.91 they cost me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2010 - Spunky wrote: 93 Points
Inky purple look, with very good fruit up front, lively, powerful mouth feel, drinking very well at this young age. Good structure so should last for years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2009 - TashNYC wrote: 91 Points
Delicious wine, with notes of chocolate, expresso and black fruit. Very dense and showy. Drinking well, now. With jen & Sue in VA.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2009 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Big wine with Cherry, earth tones, plum
Taste: Huge wine with medium tannins (decant this one) and cherry, mineral, plum, oak, violets, earthy tones
Finish: Extremely long and balanced wine
Evaluation: This is one of the better values out of Spain and should cellar for 10 plus years. 92 points
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2009 - GalvezGuy wrote: 94 Points
Best bottle yet. Black currant, blackberry, plum, black cherry, boysenberry, espresso, cedar, vanilla, mocha. On the palate, blackberry, black currant, black raspberrry, vanilla, cedar, leather, mocha. Great creamy mouthfeel and structure. This has settled in very nicely. I think it has a little more upside but it is a superb drink today. Outstanding. Superb value. Drink or hold
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2009 - JKWebster wrote:
Pours an inky-purple color, nearly opaque. Aromas of berries immediately burst from the glass, as it calms down and I dare put my nose near the glass, I get some floral touches and whiffs of toasty oak with the heady aromas of mixed berry compote. The palate is deceptively balanced and not, ultra-rich given the nose. Good balancing acid for the medium-to-full bodied wine. Very much in the modern style, and very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2009 - thalver wrote: 89 Points
I was prompted to open a bottle earlier than I had planned based on positive tasting notes. Dark inky purple, nearly black. Muted nose which starts to reveal itself with time. Clean, oaky and tannic on the palate. Even with a few hours in a decanter, this seems to need more time. oh, and did I say tannic? Let remaining bottles rest a couple years 89 points now, with a good bit of upside potential.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2009 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
Tasted blind I thought this wine was Australian Shiraz from the hot vintage. If this is called wine - I'd rather drink lemonade.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2009 - GalvezGuy wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Nose of blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry, plum, scorched earth, espresso, spicy oak, vanilla, cedar. On the palate, blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, spicy oak, mocha, cedar. Great structure and mouthfeel. Outstanind. Drink or hold. Tremendous value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2009 - pvd420 wrote: 88 Points
scorched earth, graphite and tight blackberry fruits dominate this powerful, intense bottling. Interesting, but after a while it is tiring like music that is too loud.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2009 - hutch wrote: 85 Points
I don't really get this. Sweet mocha flavors on the nose. Lots of chocolate notes, really ripe fruits. Kind of milk shakish. Not enjoying this at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2009 - WDK wrote: 93 Points
Popped & poured. Drinking beautifully. Fleshy plum and red fruit. Concentrated & long. Delicious!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2009 - GalvezGuy wrote: 94 Points
Shouldn't be drinking this yet, but too good to pass up now. Black fruit, scorched earth, espresso, spicy oak, vanilla, cedar. On the palate, blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, spicy oak, mocha. Nice balanced finished with great structure and mouthfeel. Oustanding. Drink over the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/15/2009 - kwalitsch wrote: 91 Points
The first thing I noticed was the oak, it wasn't overwhelming but was the first thing I recognized. The oak was mixed well with the dark fruits and pepper. I'm writing this note a day + from my last sip so those are the qualities which made a lasting impression.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/13/2009 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 90 Points
Natasha's Birthday weekend; 6/11/2009-6/13/2009 (Cabin on Mt. Hood): Decanted three and a half hours. Surprisingly quite subdued nose. A bit of oak and pepper spice. Jammy on the mid-palate, reduced fruits, pepper, but this is not over the top at all... all these flavors are very soft. I haven't had a bottle of this in over two years, and this one isn't anywhere near the tight rock that last one was. This is actually fairly delicious, and not really over the top fruit (though the oak is still slightly high for my liking). While this has plenty of years of evolution ahead of it, I'd definitely say the drinking window is open now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2009 - thomaskeil wrote: 89 Points
PnP and enjoyed over two nights. Dark berries, spice, choco/vanilla and some mineral on the nose. On the palate this is still wound pretty tight, but the components are all in balance. Even on night 2 the tannins were a bit hard and the deep, dark fruit pretty unidimensional. I can see this improving with a few years. 89+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2009 - DHJ1968 wrote:
Seems to be developing nicely; ample red fruit in a very well balanced package for such a big wine; oak is integrated, alcohol is not obvious and tannins are firm but sweet. Great acidity keeps the fruit from getting too sticky. Not super complex, but very tasty. This is a great option when in the mood for a big red.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2009 - A. wrote:
Have had two bottles, more recently in fall, 2008. Both bottles tasted like wood and needed more cellar time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2009 - duffer8008 wrote: 92 Points
I think this wine is in a little bit of a "dumb" phase right now. All the parts are showing nicely, but it's a little disjointed. That being said I think this wine will be great in 3 to 5 more years and can go another 15. ( I also must admit I did not give it as much of a decant at the last time I had it which really played a factor).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2009 - Rayburn wrote: 93 Points
Great bottle of wine that just keeps getting better and better. Dark, almost black in color. Nose of black cherry, black raspberry and some strawberry. Palate is a touch oaky, but not over done with blackberry, cherry and leather. Tannins are moderate leading to a lengthy finish. One of the best QPRs in a long time!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2009 - LPskeleton wrote: 92 Points
had this in a restaurant and it was beautiful. It went so well with the filet and lamb dishes. I have never smelled cookie dough in a wine before but it was ringing so true on this wine. Loved it, all the beauty of spanish wine was in this glass from oak treatment to high acid and full throttle alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2009 - LARich wrote: 91 Points
Stunning full-bodied spanish red. Could benefit from an hour or 2 of decanting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2009 - vintage61 wrote: 94 Points
Consistent with previous note from 2007. Beautiful dark plum color to the rim, clear throughout. Gorgeous nose of asian spice, mocha and dark red fruit that follows through on the palate. Great structure and balance with firm tannins still very much to the fore. Recorked and kept balance of bottle in fridge 1 day, finished last 2 glasses tonight without any obvious change from day one. Give it 3 to 5 more years before trying another. Fair amount of sediment in bottle and glass when finished. Unbelieveable value considering the sub $25 price.It is hard to believe this is their entry level wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2009 - hudamang wrote:
I wasn't a fan of this wine. Tasted one dimensional. If it was in a blind tasting, I would have guessed new world.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2009 - GalvezGuy wrote: 94 Points
Checking back in with this wine to see its development. Popped and poured ont his one On the nose black fruits, scorched earth, espresso, spicky oak. On the palate, blackberry, black respberry, black cherry, vanilla, mocha, spicy oak. Really starting to come into balance with a dry finish of tannins and balanced acidity. Great structure and mouthfeel. Oustanding wine. Tremendous value. Hold for one more year and drink over the next 10 - 12 after that.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2008 - WineDrinkerofTX wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple color. Firm tannins, dark fruit, coffee and generally well balanced. Nice mouthfeel. Drank over a few days and the wine held well. Good wine and an excellent value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2008 - WDK wrote: 90 Points
Full body with black fruit, decent acidity and lots of tannin. Still needs to integrate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2008 - SJ wrote: 87 Points
May have been an off bottle. Seemed slightly oxidized and not nearly as vibrant as other notes indicate. Still a huge tannic wine with lots of cocoa, coffee, and concentrated dark fruits. Try again in a year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/9/2008 - SoCal wrote: 88 Points
The color is a vibrant purple with a brightness to its hue. The nose reminds me of coco dusted black and blue berries, spice and toasted oak. The attack is a viscous dark fruit and expresso, but becomes a bit hollow in the mid-palate. The finish returns with a vengeance, showing a long full dose of a coffee liquor flavor. Overall a great wine for the price but it still needs more time to fully come together. The alcohol is out of balance with the smooth tannins and medium acidity. For me this is a 2010 wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2008 - cormyr wrote: 92 Points
give this the airtime it deserves, its a very good wine. tastes like a nice cali cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2008 - davidzeb03 wrote: 89 Points
notes of spice, minerals & blackberry. very tannic but there was a lack of acid on the palate which has me question its ageability.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2008 - dfeiner wrote: 89 Points
Probably opened this a bit early. Nice smoky, chocolate berry nose. Rather grippy tannins, lots of flavor. Good acidity and long finish. Hard to evaluate right this moment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2008 - CTwine wrote: 90 Points
A wine that needs more time in bottle. Very tannic - tight - but it appears to have the ability to age and improve. This wine could be a 95 pt or 80 pt wine time will tell.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2008 - parathesis wrote: 89 Points
This is not as tannic as others stated, the tannins are well integrated. I agree with this comment "On the palate there are mouth-coating tannins that dry that make even your teeth feel dry, but they're not sharp and bitter." Perfect discription by vivaitalia. Lacks a little bit of complexity and became a little less enjoyable as the night went on. Definately needed air but I think one or two glasses is all you can handle of this on the pallet. Probably needs more time in the botte.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2008 - danibus wrote: 89 Points
Developed well over the last 18 months. More open knit and hedonistic this time around. Lots of dark fruit, oak, a bit of pepper, and surprisingly balanced for the alcohol and extract. Still tannic, but integrated and round. Ultimately, however, it lacks the complexity of the better new world power reds. And it got tiresome by the last glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2008 - jim dixon wrote: 92 Points
As with prior vintages this wine is a great value in hedonistic and powerful reds. Lots of everything (including tannin) but still drinking very nice right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2008 - Squirreljam wrote: 87 Points
No real change from a bottle from about 6 months ago. Chewily tannic, lots of red fruit, touch of chemical/bitter, acid there but hidden behind the wood. Still not sure what to make of it - definitely not resolved yet. For me, not much enjoyment yet, so unless one is drinking this to track changes, hold off till at least 2009.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2008 - GalvezGuy wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for six hours prior to first sip. Deep color almost black. On the nose, big black fruits, scorched dirt, espresso. On the palate, the black fruits repeat, blackberry, black raspberry, boynsenberry. a smokey oak/vanilla flavor. Wonderful acidic finish with sturdy tannins and some oak. Very impressive, this will change a lot over its lifetime. Screaming value. I can see this hitting 95-96 pts when it is in its true drinking window, which is at least 2 years out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2007 - vivaitalia wrote: 92 Points
After decanting for four hours there was an explosive nose of black fruits and toast with some nice vanilla. On the palate there are mouth-coating tannins that dry that make even your teeth feel dry, but they're not sharp and bitter. I'm usually a hater of oak but it was perfectly integrated on this wine giving it a lovely toasty and smokeyness as well as nice chocolate and vanilla. Pretty long, fruity finish. A 94 for me at that point. I thought it would be even better the second day but it just died. I vac'd it and all but the toast, chocolate and vanilla were gone. Even worse the alcohol had taken over and ruined any other flavors that might have been left. Extremely disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2007 - grog wrote: 87 Points
Obviously a well-made wine, but just not very interesting. This could have come from anywhere - nothing about this said Tempranillo or Spain.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2007 - David S wrote:
good potential - very tannic at this point - needs to sit for a long time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2007 - Grapz wrote: 91 Points
Great on the nose and palatte. Subtle, lush fruits with a whisper finish. Great effort!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2007 - kehoutek wrote: 93 Points
I think this is ALMOST as good as it's sibling Numanthia...Lots of fruit up front with a long finish of vanilla and chocolate..Absolutely fantastic for $30.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90,PURPLE90. Nice little wine but pretty tight right now. Give it some decanter time before serving. Recommended QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2007 - benny wrote: 94 Points
Serious wine. Regardless of the low price. Not the Numanthia but then thats twice the price and argueably a JM 98. Back to the Termes. Tasted first time ..1 hour after double decant. Very nice but very tight .We were interupted and after 3 hours later drank with roast pork dinner. YES! The next time I will open and let sit at 65 dg for 5-6 hours beforetasting. This wine has a long life.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2007 - DesMarteau wrote: 92 Points
Needs 2 - 3 hours of decanting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2007 - hcampana wrote: 92 Points
TNs: 1998 Pegau Reservee, 2002 Domus Aurea, 2004 Numanthia Termes & 2004 Terrunyo Carmenere Peumo Vineyard (Guadalajara, Mexico): Had at Abejo's club house w/ Vane, Amanda, Juan Aretos, Delia, etc.
I took this to my cousin's plot warming party. This is the wine I intend to serve in my wedding, so I was dying to try it. The purplest color I have seen in a long time, this almost looks artificially colored! The nose is very flowery (violets?), offering additional black fruit aromas. There is an attractive smokiness and a full body that is neither heavy nor tannic. This was a hit with many. i was gladly suprised it wasn't as rustuc and structured as other Toros.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2007 - MRichman wrote:
Deep, sweet, dense, thick purple fruit. Notes of clove, sweet woody tannins, coffee. This is a solid wine with nice light baking spice outskirts. Lots of chewy fruit, but not an empty fruit bomb. This has the depth and weight to keep everything together. Still could integrate some of the sawdusty wooden tannins, but not bad to drink now. Still, I'd sit on them for a bit longer.
B/B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2007 - GalvezGuy wrote: 93 Points
Finally opened one to see what I thought. Decanted for one hour prior to first sip. First impression, huge nose of black fruit, boysenberry, blackberry, and black raspberry. On the palate it is a little different, the black fruits repeat, the oak is prevalent and some fairly sturdy tannins appear on a long finish. The wine is wonderfully structured, thick, full bodied. I have definitely committed infanticide tonight. Outstanding wine, great potentional. Hold. 93-96 pts It will be very interesting to watch this one evolve. Screaming QPR
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2007 - cormyr wrote: 93 Points
im beginning to realize just how good this wine really is. regal nose, thick, full bodied, smooth, concentrated. the palate is a journey, the finish long and seductive. did not improve overnight however.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2007 - Squirreljam wrote: 89 Points
Not sure what to make of this. Deep color, opaque red and purple. Vibrant nose, then on the palate tons of wood with lots of tannins (gives you that tanninc chewyness in the back of your throat). Acidity is low or lost in the other stuff. A touch of heat on the finish, which is long. Seems disjointed; it has all the elements of a really good wine, but doesn't integrate them well at this point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2007 - Mlermontov wrote: 90 Points
good wine, needs some time - and rounds into a medium/full bodied wine with black fruit and sweet berry nose, good length. 100% worth the $$ but not worth the hype though IMO
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2007 - pgb67 wrote: 93 Points
Really impressive wine which stunned me right off the bat with its inky, rich color. The palate is diverse, revealing red fruits at the start, changing over to spice and caramel on the finish. Great balance, with the tannins not overly firm considering its relative youth (although I had opened the bottle about 5 hrs prior to consumption, so maybe that leveled things out). The nose is reasonably impressive, recalling raspberries and blackberries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2007 - MD2020 wrote: 90 Points
Inky color. The nose is very California Cab, leading to the shocking taste of a very closed, but complicated, wine. The tannins are very up front, and the fruit is very much in the background, but after an hour or two in the glass, it opens up and becomes much more balanced. A $20 bottle that deserves cellaring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2007 - Fat Hobbit wrote:
Popped and poured and followed over about 8 hours the first night. Huge, fullbodied, brawny wine with enormous, overhwhelming structure. There is fruit present, but it is buried by mouth drying tannins and toasted oak. Fruit seemed scorched as if from a very hot vintage/region. The finish shows quite a bit of heat - combination of alcohol and oak spice mostly. This became more enjoyable when paired with a grilled burger. A last glass saved for the next night showed the fruit pushing towards raisiny/porty. Not enjoyable now - far too young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2007 - duffer8008 wrote: 95 Points
Decanted the wine for 30 mins. Needed at least 3 or 4 hours. However, this was an excellent wine, period. Large, large nose blackberry, currant. I think it will be more refined with more time in the bottle (or the decanter). Great, QPR. I will definitely buy again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2007 - MRichman wrote:
Full bodied clean, clear fruit with pretty floral and strawberry undertones. Smooth and pure. Alcohol too evident on finish with juicy tacky tannins. Very nice, will get better in a few years.
B/B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2007 - danseng wrote:
We had a few bottles of this when it first came out and thought it was great. Now though, I agree with all the comments about the tannins being too strong. One sip made me run for water. I've never had a wine dry my mouth out so quickly. Young petite syrah is a great descriptor for this wine right now. It got a little better after 2 hours, but probably needs 5-6 hours in a decanter right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2007 - vintage61 wrote: 94 Points
Great QPR. Beautiful translucent ruby red color, bursting at the seams with red fruit and spice, but also with noticable tannins that bode several years of life ahead. JP
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2007 - Cracker Barrel wrote: 93 Points
full bodied, very nice, good fruit, nice full tanins
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2007 - spacewrangler wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 30 minutes. This beast needs to be tamed by time. I would definitely guess this as a Cali Petite Sirah blind. It reminds me a lot of the Rosenblum Heritage Clones Petite Sirah as far as voluptuousness. Jammy blueberry and dark fruits assault the palate, yet it remains refined even in its young life. Tannins are a bit harsh at first - with some air, the wine opens up. I think this wine will really be something special down the line, dont be afraid to pop the cork on one now after giving this some air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2007 - cormyr wrote: 92 Points
c-a-l-i-f-o-r-n-i-a
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2007 - quacken wrote: 91 Points
Great nose. Tannins are a little bitter right now, but if they smooth out this will be very impressive.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2007 - blue wrote:
A hot Soup!! terribly ripe. In no way this should get 94 points!! (WA). Monolithic modern style. Not for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2007 - gellie wrote: 92 Points
this will be a95 in two years.Still yummy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2007 - Jay Hack wrote:
This wine was opened at 11:00 for a tasting at a store and I got there at 2:45, so it should have been aerated by the constant dishing out of small pours. It was as tight as any wine I have ever had. It was as though there was this mass of flavors that had been concentrated into a single point by the gravitational forces of a black hole. The only wine I remember that was like that was a 2000 La Fleur de Jaugue that I couldn't wait to try and opened on the day I brought the futures case home. The Termes had cherry, pepper, other spice, terroir minerals, oak, and even a whiff of the vanilla you get with oaky CA chardonnays. I do not have enough verticle experience to be able to say what this wine will be like in a few years with any degree of certainty, but if it opens up right, it will be excellent. I bought one bottle just to find out. If it turns out well, I will look for more, but the price will probably be trippled by then. Maybe we will get lucky with improving exchange rates.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2007 - ptheimer wrote: 93 Points
Tremendous value
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2007 - hwallace3000K wrote: 93 Points
Huge wine- Crazy extract. Overpowering, enormous tannins. This will be a great wine, we just had this about 5-7 years too early.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2007 - drcbarroso wrote: 92 Points
CB: Fantastic wine at an unbelievable price. Definitely need to find some and pick some up. Great balance and nice finish. Well done!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2007 - MRichman wrote:
Solid wine with plenty of dense chewy fruit. Bright high tones, solid base. Notes of tobacco, violet, peppers, plum. Fine sweet tannins. Could use a little time to come together, but drinking well now too. Very nice. Has a tangy spritzy note that I hope will fade.
B/B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2007 - simpsonr wrote: 95 Points
I was enticed into opening one after reading jdunnuck's enthusiastic note and am excited to agree wholeheartedly. This is a seriously endowed wine with well balanced big fruit, big oak, big tannin, big acid and a killer mineral streak that almost sears the palate. A fabulous wine that will be exciting to open over the next decade and more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2007 - drcbarroso wrote: 90 Points
Bought from a wine list at a Mediteranian restaurant. Very tight at first, but with about a half hour to an hour of decanting, this started opening up. After about an hour, this wine was singing. No "real" notes as it was over dinner with my wife and sister-in-law, but this is a very nice wine given the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2007 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
Wineflock - 2004 Spanish survey, judging the hype (My House): Group #5 in flight - Full ruby black red color. Foward aroma of spicy red fruit. Full black coffee fruit on the palate - still tight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2007 - Hillbilly wrote: 88 Points
Rich purplely color. Smells of fresh barrel more than fruit. Inviting on the front end, blueberry dominated black fruit melange. A bit choppy in the mouth, unsettled. Rather drying tannins, make that very drying appear onthe finish. If the tannins subside a bit, I can see the attraction. Definitely new worldish. Did not get any airtime and followed for an hour, decant next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2007 - BWalton wrote:
Anise, black cherry, leather, maybe vanilla on the nose. Black cherries and chocolate on the palette. Medium+ tannins, Medium acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2007 - robmatic wrote:
Huge nose of oak and spice. Abundant soft tannins, not quite ready to drink. Well extracted and dense, with tons of fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2007 - wineismylife wrote:
Tasted at an offline. No notes this time. Sorry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2007 - WineDrinkerofTX wrote: 90 Points
Served directly from the cellar. Quick notes as this was several bottles into the evening. Fairly firm tannins and this one needs time in the bottle to see how it evolves over time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2007 - yui wrote: 94 Points
Loved this wine. Loved it so much I got more. Color very dark. Nice balance, long finish, minerals, clove, bordeaux like. Wow. Great QPR
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2007 - cookie7 wrote: 89 Points
Decanted 4 hours. Very fruit forward. Tannins are a bit tough on the finish, but if they soften over time this could be an outstanding wine. Good QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2007 - GrandeSerataFuori wrote: 85 Points
Just a modern styled Spanish red - I'm not so blown away by it. Very tough tannins, even after 2 hrs in the decanter. Not a bad wine to have open but i won't be getting more. Dark cherry, plum and oak. Maybe day 2 will be better.......AND.......it was a touch better the next day, more fruit, less oak, smoother tannins and a touch of mint.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2007 - KevinS wrote: 90 Points
Addictive everyday drinker...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2007 - Pinotlover wrote: 93 Points
Glad we gave an hour to start to open up, but it developed real well in the glass after that as well. Big blackberry/blueberry up front with clove, black pepper, and cinnamon stick undertones. The acidity and soft tannic backbone tells me maybe drink over the next 5-6 years...cool stuff, the best Termes since the 1999!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2006 - GrandeSerataFuori wrote: 84 Points
Had just a taste at a wine bar and found it WAY too young and closed at this point. Maybe decanting and/or aging will do wonders for this, but right now i found it unenjoyable with heavy tannins and obvious alcohol. Wait on it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2006 - danibus wrote: 88 Points
Full bodied, fairly well balanced, and nice concentration of dark fruit, but simple and monolithic. Not much of a finish. Still, it's a decent buy at $20.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2006 - KevinS wrote: 91 Points
Tasty stuff. A little monolithic out of the bottle, but gained complexity with air. Zesty, spicy red fruit profile. Very international and straightforward in style, but satisfying nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2006 - AndrewSGHall wrote:
New category of wines : Talking Heads wines. "Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was." This wine is another one which really doesn't change from year to year - monochromatic fruit, noticable bourbon-y oak nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2006 - mmurry wrote: 87 Points
Red Blooded Spanish (Farpointe Cellar): This wine was pretty good, but not worth the $27 price tag. The nose had some nice cherry and plum fruit that was mixed with a bit of spice and vanilla. There was also the slightest hint of soil. The palate was very silky, with red fruit flavors and spice. The tannins were very firm, but the finish was not as long as I would have liked.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2006 - cwcollin wrote:
A little hot, but we had it with Paella so the food helped out. This is a serious wine but will probably soften a bit with a couple more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment