2005 Maria Theresa

The 2005 Vinha Maria Teresa is part of this issue's vertical. In the vertical, this marks a bit of a turning point. The tannins are toned down a bit, the oak is a bit more controlled, and the mid-palate is more elegant and refined. Maybe it's just the year? Maybe not. In fact, those trends mostly seem to continue as we go along. What it does keep in common with Maria Teresa's profile in general is that intensity of flavor. This year, though, it is a bit darker, more on the blackberry and black cherry side of the ledger. It also has that bit of cream from oak early on and its typically sexy demeanor. This is a mini-version in some respects of the 2003, more compact but better balanced and more elegant. Although the tannins do seem more moderate here than on most in this lineup, there are still some and this is a prime time wine. Fresh, intense, lively and rather delicious, it is showing well. It improved continuously with some hours of air and showed no hint of fading. There is no rush drinking this for the foreseeable future. It is still rather young.