88+(?) 2007 Vallado Douro (Portugal - by Ferreira) 5/14/10 ($21)
blend of Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Sousao 14.0% alc
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Ripe blackberries, stewed cherries and cassis with dried herbs and sweet tobacco complementing. Also some bitter cherry pit. (3.0) Body: Silky mouthfeel that coats. Excellent fruit with very good acidity and firm but smooth tannins. Solid middleweight plus. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but bitter tobacco flavors become more prominent. (2.5) Finish: Similar to flavor with tobacco prominent, but becomes a little sweeter here and shows excellent length. (3.0)
Overall: Ripe, but dry, with excellent concentration to the blackberry and bitter cherry fruit. Has a prominent herbal/tobacco flavor that oscillates between bitter and sweet. A little too much of its bitter side comes out in the flavor, but this may resolve with 3-4 years bottle age. Needs hearty food at present, but the ripe fruit and herbal nuances have their moments, particularly in the bouquet and finish. Tows the line between Old and New World styles. (14.5)
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