2020 Quinta do Vallado Sousao

The 2020 Sousao was aged for 16 months in 15% new French barriques and comes in at 14.3% alcohol. Often my sentimental favorite of their reds, this typically shows off the good acidity, red fruits and velvety texture. As the oak impact has declined (in the distant past it could be as high as 80% new), it shows the red fruits better and has lost that creamy texture it once had. Refined, persistent and flavorful, this is very fine again, if not quite as impressive as last year's. It's hard not to admire its finesse and flavor, though, a great combination.