Cuvée TNS 2008

"TNS, which stands for Touriga Nacional - Syrah, is not produced in every vintage but it was produced in 2008, a year with a difficult flowering and a dry summer. The blend for the 2008 TNS follows the norm of two-thirds Touriga Nacional and one-third Syrah, both from estate vines on clay and chalk soils, aged in open vats and matured in used 300-liter barrels. It's very interesting to compare the 2008 with the 2009 as you see the clear difference in vintages. This 2008 shows less ripeness and is somehow more rustic as the Touriga Nacional is really shy and doesn't really show its aromatics leaving the nose to develop more toward the Mediterranean herbs-side with balsamic notes and less floral influence. The palate has fine tannins and tasty flavors with some floral hints toward the finish. This cuvée that started with very small volumes and used to be bottled only in magnum was bottled into 1,900 bottles and 300 magnums in 2008."