Gloria Reynolds Art & Tradition 2009

The 2009 Gloria Reynolds Art & Tradition Tinto is an equal blend of Alicante Bouschet and Trincadeira, aged for 24 months in new French oak. It comes in at 14% alcohol. Far more burly and muscular than the 2011 Grande Reserva this issue – even with two extra years of bottle age – this is the one where the winery goes for a statement and lets it all hang out. Yet, with the late release, this has come to a place where it is at least drinkable now, if still a bit tight. Long on the finish, with the beefy nuances of the Alicante dominating the wine, this also has surprising freshness, some acidity that lifts the fruit. In this big and very warm year, this seems impressive for its success in maintaining its balance. At the same time, it adds a layer of depth and power to the Grande Reserva. This seems positioned to age very well – the producer thinks well over 30 years – but let’s start here and see where it goes in time. Drink date: 2019-2040. Score – 95. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, Aug. 30, 2019)