2017 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional Douro

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 94 points

“The 2017 Touriga Nacional, bottled only about a week before this tasting, was aged for 16 months in 30% new French barriques and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Big, big fruit starts this off—a hallmark of Vallado's 2017s. Ripe, succulent and expressive, a hint of beef and blue fruits on the palate mingle on the finish after an aromatic start. You expect the aromatics, but the intensity of flavor is a bonus, granting that this is very young and exuberant. Underneath, this shows off some structure too, although the tannins are very ripe. The mid-palate has admirable finesse. This will be a pleasure to drink, not just admire. It could use a couple of years in the cellar, but it is approachable if it does not close down. Winemaker Xito Olazabal said it should hold more than 20 years. It might well. Drink dates 2020 to 2037” – Mark Squire

Review Date: August 2019