Vinha de Casal de Loivos 2009

The 2009 Casa de Casal de Loivos is a Douro field blend. After the steely and somewhat astringent 2008, also reviewed this issue, this seems like a different wine. It is a tribute to the winery that each is true to its vintage, reflecting what nature gave in each year. This is lusher, riper, sweeter, a more complete wine and certainly less atypical than the 2008. The 2007-2008-2009 trilogy here overall has been quite interesting and distinctive. If the 2008 in the short run will be the hardest to warm up to, this 2009 should make a lot of friends early on. Beautifully constructed, nicely balanced, rich without being cloying or over-the-top, it has a sensual texture as well. As this aired out, it became even better balanced - not that there was anything wrong with it in the first place - and showed some steel and complexity well. It left me thinking that this was the best Loivos I've had. Drink 2013-2022. Score - 93. (Mark Squires, erobertparker.com, Dec. 2011)