Quinta do Vallado Sousão 2019

The 2019 Sousão was aged for 16 months in 40% new French barriques and comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This is always a grape that is a bit different, but Vallado tames it a little. Then, vive la différence. Spicy and fresh, this has a tinge of vanilla followed by red fruits. As always with this grape, the freshness surrounds and lifts the fruit. Then, Vallado gives it serious treatment and the tannins come out to play. The mid-palate finesse is exceptional. The piquant finish has a touch of garrigue and strawberry. I am shocked at how good this bottling (which I wasn't originally sure I would like) has become, not just on occasion, but regularly. I remember the first one that I tasted when winemaker Xito Olazabal showed me a cask sample. I grimaced due to the tartness, the disjointed acidity. That's sure not the case here.