2014 Termanthia
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Muchos oak on the nose, all vanilla and spice. The black fruit fights back on the palate, with so much intensity and extraction that it almost beats the palate into submission. It's sort of mutant Rioja – impressive volume and power but at the sake of drinkability? (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A balanced vintage with abundant rain in April and May before a temperate summer. High quality. Ungrafted vines of over 120 years age. 100% destemmed, extended maceration post-fermentation for 24 days. Malolactic in 100% new French barrels before 22 months ageing in French barriques (80% new, 20% older). Bottled June 2016. Ripe, smooth, subtle with less(!) than 200% new oak. There is a hint of (positive) rusticity on the nose. Feels a bit more natural and unadulterated by wood. Lighter on the palate. Tannins are to the fore – needs more time but will age beautifully. Smooth, elegant, lovely floral notes. (AWH)
Once again, I tasted the 2014 Termanthia, a selection from 120-year-old ungrafted vines that is heady, ripe and powerful, voluptuous and juicy, with lots of concentration, tannins and everything else, powerful and ripe, impressive and showy. It's teeth-staining dark, with abundant tannins, a round, lush texture and gobs and gobs of fruit. It seems to be evolving very slowly, and the tannins still need some powerful food. 8,500 bottles and 250 magnums were filled in June 2016.