Quinta do Vesuvio Tinto 2009

The 2009 TINTO (QUINTA DO VESUVIO) is a blend of 70% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca and 10% Tinta Amarela, aged for 13 months in large, new French oak barrels. I confess to having been unconvinced by this powerful, tight, still closed wine earlier in its development, but it has won me over. I hope I'm not still underrating it. There is a bit of a roasted herb nuance on the finish that integrated well on Day 2. It still opens with a stern demeanor, a bit forbidding, tight and surprisingly crisp. But it is also focused, more floral now and beautifully aromatic with air, nicely expressive of the Touriga Nacional characteristics now shining through. Its backbone is still there. It was astringent early on, but it showed far better the next day. In this warm vintage, it is surprisingly bright and graceful, too, not (at this moment) showing as much of the fleshy, fruity notes that many '09s have. By the time I gave it an hour of air on Day 2, it was increasingly lovely, the Touriga Nacional in full flight and gorgeously aromatic. With more time in the bottle, it is apparent that this aromatic wine has considerable potential for further development. If approached now, give it some air. Drink 2015-2025. Score - 92. (Mark Squires, erobertparker.com, Dec. 2012)