Quinta do Vallado Reserva Field Blend 2017

The 2017 Reserva was only in bottle for a few weeks when seen. It is a field blend (some 32 grapes from centenarian vines), principally Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca, all aged for 16 months in 20% new French barriques. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Of all of Vallado's fine reds this issue, this might be the most refined. Sensually textured, it has plenty of power on the finish to go with its beautiful mid-palate finesse. It seems very sophisticated. Focused and precise, this looks like a great Reserva from Vallado. Plus, considering the wave of pricey upper-level wines lately, it's also a relative value point in the lineup. How well will it age? Let's start here—but be prepared to cellar it for a few years, at the least, to allow it to become more expressive. There were 43,400 bottles produced, plus 800 magnums.

Blackberry, black-olive and blueberry aromas with dark chocolate and hints of spice. Some walnut, too. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and refined with polished, fine tannins. Needs time to open and soften. Plenty of potential. Firm and tight. Drink after 2022.

From a field blend of 34 varieties, this wine is richly structured, dense and firm, yet still retains a ripe and fruity core. Partial foot-treading in open lagars has given the wine depth and dark concentration of black fruit flavors. Drink from 2022.