Touriga Nacional, Quinta do Vallado 2011

Finely textured, with pure and powerful flavors of dark currant, black olive, red plum and wild cherry, accented by notes of molten licorice. Latent tannins and vibrant acidity give this a lively mouthfeel, offering a refined finish of chocolate mousse. Drink now through 2022.

The 2011 Touriga Nacional, sourced from the winery-s 1994 plantings, was aged in French oak for 16 months, only 30% new, however, with the rest a mixture of second and third use. Gorgeously balanced and constructed, this has sensual texture and controlled tannins to go with the typical Touriga aromatics. It seems light on its feet, but there is actually quite notable mid-palate concentration here. It is a very fine performance from Vallado, which has become one of the more interesting monovarietal Touriga producers. At the moment, I-m thinking this is their best vintage yet, as unevolved as it is. I won-t be surprised if it merits a slight uptick one day. There were 6,500 six-bottle cases made. Drink 2015-2030.