2012 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional Red

The 2012 Touriga Nacional was aged in French oak barriques for 16 months (32% new, the rest second and third use). It comes in at 14% alcohol. Focused and expressive, this elegant Touriga is wonderfully graceful, making its bones on its harmony rather than size and power. Beautifully balanced, it becomes sexy and sensually textured as it airs and fleshes out. The concentration is a bit on the modest size, but this is immensely appealing in many ways and it does flesh out a bit in the glass as it wakes up. If it does not seem quite as deep as Vallado's Reserva reviewed this issue, it has far more personality. They are both a pleasure to drink. There were 6,500 six-packs produced.

Raspberry and dark currant flavors dominate this elegant red, which features medium-grained tannins and notes of coca powder. Accents of dried mint emerge on the broad, plush finish. Drink now through 2020.-K.M.

Intense mørke bær. En flot koncentration og masser af brombær, rødt kød, krydderier og vanilje. Mørk lidt brændt i eftersmagen.