Quinta Do Vallado Touriga Nacional 2019
(Portugal) 750mL - [WA 93] [WE 93] [WS 92] [JS 92]

About the Winery:
Over the course of 300+ years, since 1716, Quinta do Vallado has been producing excellent wines in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It is one of the oldest and most famous wineries in all the Douro, started by the legendary Doña Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, and still belongs to the same family today. It is a sixth-generation winery, currently owned by João Ferreira Alvares Ribeiro and Francisco Ferreira. The estate produced Port wines exclusively, until the 1990’s when it expanded production into dry wines.

Vallado has 250 acres of its own vineyards in two sub-regions of the Douro. They are comprised 100-year-old field blend vines, single variety plots and certified organic vineyards. The terraced vineyards are hand-harvested with one row of vines trained to a double cordon trellising system, allowing for good drainage, air flow and erosion control.

Notes From the Winemaker:
Very concentrated aromas, with balsamic notes of oak, ripe red fruits and violets. The palate is extremely balanced, with a lot of red fruit concentration, containing ripe and round tannins and a long and fresh finish.

The grapes were vinified in 5-10 ton stainless steel vats with controlled temperatures and scheduled remontage. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels where it remained for 16 months.

Serve between 60.8° F to 64.4° F with light meat dishes such as pork, or flavorful hard cheeses from cow or sheep's milk.

Wine Composition 100% Touriga Nacional

Alcohol 13.5%

Total Acidity 5.3 G/L

Residual Sugar 0.6 G/L

pH 3.73

Ratings & Reviews:

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2019 Touriga Nacional was aged for 16 months in 50% new French barriques and comes in at 13.5% alcohol. Fragrant, flavorful and graceful, this lovely Touriga has an understated feel, but as it sits in the glass and on your tongue, it becomes more persistent while it pulls in the wood. This may not be the most dramatic Touriga that Vallado has made, but it is a carefully crafted wine that has the potential to improve in the cellar. It is vaguely approachable now because the tannins are not too astringent, but you'd be wise to give it a couple of years more in the cellar." - Mark Squires (Mar 2022)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"One of a series of single varietal wines, this highlights the Douro's star grape. With its finely textured tannins and juiciness, along with the polish of wood aging, the wine is very fine. Drink from 2025." - RV (July 2022)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A creamy, medium- to full-bodied red, with delicate violet, eucalyptus and saffron spice notes playing off baked black cherry and currant fruit. The sculpted tannins are finely meshed, providing fine definition and firming the zesty finish. Drink now through 2029. 2,313 cases made, 125 cases imported." - Alison Napjus (Nov 2022)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Lots of blackberry and black cherry character on both the nose and palate. Some ink pot and black licorice, too. Medium-bodied with firm and lightly velvety tannins and a savory finish. Drink or hold." (Apr 2023)