2019 Quinta do Vallado Douro Reserva Field Blend

The 2019 Reserva is a field blend (some 35 grapes from vines ranging from 60 to 100 years old) that is principally Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca, all aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 14.49% alcohol. This, like so many of Vallado's reds this issue, is a wine that emphasizes structure, finesse, precision and elegance. In other words, it is a very serious wine in a classic style. It also delivers fine fruit, although it is subtly concentrated, never jammy, candied or obvious. This has loads of potential. It should be drinking better around the middle of the decade. It looks like a wine that can easily go 20 years, maybe more.