The 2017 Tinto (Quinta do Vesúvio), the Estate red, is a 56/41 blend of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional with a dollop of Tinta Amarela, allaged for 16 months in French oak (80% new). It comes in at 14.5%alcohol. A Big Boy this year, this shows off the typical fruit of thisgreat estate. Sexier but less refined than the Chryseia (reviewed underPrats & Symington), it has fine concentration. Those are simply relativeterms, though, as both do everything very well. Although relatively lesselegant, this is by no means jammy or even close to clumsy. It is alsobeautifully constructed. In fact, I was impressed with its balance andrefinement. It always retains finesse and focus. The next day, the fruitwas more expressive. It still finished with firmness, but it was muchmore accessible. This is a beautiful Estate Tinto, maybe the best yet.It should age well. It should also steadily improve in the cellar, andit does require some cellaring, maybe more than indicated to actuallyshow everything it has.
Die Reben gedeihen auf rund 450 Metern über Meer. Kompaktes Bouquet, Heidelbeeren, Brombeeren, Tabak, Zedern, erdig-schiefrige Nuancen. Am Gaumen wiederum sehr kompakt, wunderbar nobel, facettenreich, griffig, feinstes, abgerundetes Tannin und unendlich lang anhaltend. Grosse Klasse!
Ein traditionsreiches, spannendes Weingut, das flussaufwärts nur gerade 30 Kilometer von der Grenze zu Spanien entfernt liegt. 1989 konnte die Familie Symington das Weingut übernehmen und restaurierte es mit dem Ziel, grossartige Rot- und herrlich komplexe Portweine herzustellen. Ein grossartiges Niveau.
