2010 Quinta do Vallado Reserva Field Blend Douro Red

The 2010 RESERVA red is, per custom, an old vines field blend (with 80% of the grapes sourced from vines 80+ years old, and 20% Touriga Nacional from vines of approximately 20 years old). As tends to be the case with young Reservas, this is too marked by oak at the moment, but that will change. The wine is remarkably graceful otherwise while still solid in the mid-palate. It is bright and elegant. It should drink beautifully as time goes on. It finishes with a little welcome steel and tannic intensity, though, which should eventually integrate well. It is a nice performance from Vallado in the vintage. It is not a big, deep wine, but it is something that should develop tons of charm. Drink 2014-2025.

Using a blend of grapes sourced from old vines, this is powerful, dense and very concentrated. At the same time, an elegance lightens the wine's weight and integrates all of its elements. This serious, structured offering should be aged for 4-5 years.