Quinta do Vallado Reserva Field Blend 2021

The harmonious and balanced 2021 Reserva Field Blend comes from old vines where Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela and Tinta Barroca dominate, mostly from the property, with some from Rio Torto. It’s a classical Douro red from the winery – ripe, powerful but with elegance and balance. It’s clean, modern, with very integrated oak, ripe without excess, 13.5% alcohol – lower than usual though a constant in the wines from 2021. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins, and it’s elegant and round and has a long finish. It’s tasty and should develop nicely in bottle. 2021 is one of the finest years in recent times. Drink date: 2024-2034. Score – 94. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, April 4, 2024)