2019 Robustus

They just bottled the 2019 Robustus (January 2024), a wine that will change in 2021 as they stopped using Vinha do Carril for it that year. The different old vineyards (80+ years old) all from the Tedo Valley fermented in lagar with foot trodden full clusters and matured in large oak vats (2,000-liter) for five years with the idea to get rid of the primary character and develop more complex aromas, wet earth, forest floor, truffles and mushrooms. The palate is very savory, umami, salty with a meat broth character. There's a lot more nuance, complexity and depth here. It has to be the finest Robustus to date, more elegant than the earlier vintages, polished, clean and precise. This should age effortlessly for a very long time. 3,000 bottles produced.