2023 Quinta do Vesuvio

Touriga Nacional (53%), Touriga Franca (24%), Alicante Bouschet (14%), Sousão (6%), old, mixed vines (3%). This is a big estate (326 ha) in the Douro Superior on the south bank of the river, thus many north-facing slopes. Huge amount of work as been done here since the Symingtons bought it in 1989. From 110 m to 500 m. TA 4 g/l, pH 3.64, RS 113 g/l. Cask sample. Black core to a very very narrow purple rim. Dark and perfumed, both luscious in fruit and firmly refined and upright in its bearing. Deliciously dry, grippy but fine-grained tannins add to the impression of freshness here. Dark and savoury on the very long, almost sober finish. Extremely elegant. (JH)