The new phase under the ownership of the Moët Hennessy group in 2008 has not brought about any significant changes in the wines. On the contrary, both Numanthia and Termanthia have maintained their style, identity trademarks and quality levels instilled by their oenological father Marcos Eguren. The sale package comprised all the vineyards ascribed to the winery, including the fabulous Teso Los Carriles which is the origin of Termanthia (4.8 hectares of 140 year-old pre-phylloxera vines on slopes). The management style of Portuguese-born Manuel Louzada is one of continuity for both brands. He has increased market presence of its entry-level Termes (about €20 in Spain), a wine that, in the Eguren days, used to be sold almost entirely in the United States.
The winery owns 49 hectares of vineyards, most of them with a south facing aspect and located in the villages of Valdefinjas and Toro. Around half of them are 70-100 year-old vines and have some of the lowest yields in the world: between 2,000 and 3,000 kilos per hectare.
The “Numanthia experience” pushes the limits of power and intensity supported by ripe tannins and great volume on the palate. Termanthia is much more extreme. In fact, it is one of the few Spanish reds to have received 100 Parker points. Oddly enough, it was the 2004 vintage and the tasting was done by Jay Miller, but a search in The Wine Advocate website only shows the re-tasting of the wine done by Neal Martin (and its lower score of 94 points). Aside from the preferences of the tasters employed by the American publication, Termanthia is one of those wines that dazzle and draw attention, even next to the world's heavyweights. As well as the intensity and power of the best Toro wines, Termanthia exhibits notable acidity, great finesse and the kind of energy that can only emanate from a magical vineyard.
