Overview: Bodega Numanthia, an LVMH-owned estate in Spain’s Toro region, continues to emphasize terroir-driven wines sourced from centenary vines. Technical Director Jesús Jiménez is set to showcase the winery’s portfolio at Decanter’s Fine Wine Encounter London on 6 November, featuring vintages including the 2019 and 2018 Numanthia cuvée alongside Termanthia 2015.
The Full Story
Jesús Jiménez grew up around his family’s vineyards in La Mancha, Toledo province, completing a degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Masters in Viticulture and Enology delivered by UNESCO. His career path includes roles as viticulture director at Los Nevados winery in Ciudad Real and technical director for François Lurton and Michel Rolland across Rueda and Toro denominations. Currently serving as Technical Director at Bodega Numanthia, he focuses on crafting exceptional wines from centenary vines within the extreme climate typical of the region.
The winery views wine through the lens of terroir diversity to bring more balance to their output. Jiménez describes Toro as a true relic and irreplicable terroir that was kept silent for centuries until the late 1990s when founders discovered it. The estate currently works with more than 100 blocks each of 1ha in size on average, with an average age of 85 years.
Production & Profile
The production philosophy prioritizes old-vine heritage, with most blocks being ungrafted and a few pre-phylloxera. This privilege is made possible by the sandy soil profile in the region that protects vineyards from disease. The Tinta de Toro grape variety is Tempranillo, just nuance by historical adaptation to the region of Toro. With centuries of adaptation, the bunch has become a smaller, loose bunch, with medium-large grapes and above all, thicker skins. These thick skins offer great resistance to fungal diseases and a high polyphenolic level. The dry and mild climate allows for perfect ripening with a large amount of sweet tannin. Thanks to the quality of tannins and the level of alcohol, these wines can have a very favourable evolution for at least 20 years.
Brand & Industry History
Bodega Numanthia was founded in 1998 and has since established itself as a custodian of rare old-vine heritage in Spain’s Toro region. The estate is owned by LVMH, where Jiménez now leads technical operations. His background includes significant experience working with leading French winemaker François Lurton and legendary consultant Michel Rolland across the Rueda and Toro denominations before joining Los Nevados winery.
What This Means
The estate has always understood wine through the lens of terroir diversity as a means to bring more balance to their wines. Over time, there is significant potential still to be unearthed within this irreplicable terroir that was kept silent for centuries until the late 1990s. This approach ensures that the unique tannins delivered by old vines allow wines to be perfectly integrated, delighting those who taste the alluring profile of Numanthia.
Consumer Takeaway
For the drinker, this release offers a connection to centenary vines and a specific terroir-driven profile suitable for pairings such as roast lamb or beef tenderloin. Guests can experience these wines at Decanter’s Fine Wine Encounter London on 6 November, where an intimate three-course lunch will feature the Numanthia 2019, 2018, and Termanthia 2015. For those traveling to the region, historical cities such as Salamanca, Zamora, Valladolid, León, or Astorga are within one hour’s drive from the estate.
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