2019 Touriga Nacional Quinta do Vallado

Parker-Mark Squires 93, 2023-2038,

The 2019 Touriga Nacional was aged for 16 months in 50% new French barriques and comes in at 13.5% alcohol. Fragrant, flavorful and graceful, this lovely Touriga has an understated feel, but as it sits in the glass and on your tongue, it becomes more persistent while it pulls in the wood. This may not be the most dramatic Touriga that Vallado has made, but it is a carefully crafted wine that has the potential to improve in the cellar. It is vaguely approachable now because the tannins are not too astringent, but you'd be wise to give it a couple of years more in the cellar.