NV Howard's Folly Edicao Limitada 6048

Full bottle 1,152 g. Syrah and Alicante Bouschet from three vintages of Reserva (2015, 2016 and 2017). Produced in Portalegre on the granite foothills of the São Mamede mountains. Hand-picked, destemmed prior to gentle crushing and then vinified separately. Aged four months on light lees before cold stabilisation and bottling. TA 5.4, pH 3.52. 192 bottles produced. Inky dark crimson. That lovely spicy sweetness of the Alicante Bouschet dominates the nose, but there's also the smoked meat and peppery savour of ripe Syrah. A complex mix of aromas that is even more perfumed when the wine is slightly chilled and the alcohol is less volatile. There's no mention of oak in the notes but there's marked oak flavours and sweetness, unless it is just the spiciness of the very ripe Alicante Bouschet. Massively powerful and mouth-filling wine but not heavy. It's alcoholic but the fruit can take it, just not sure if my liver can, except in small amounts. Spicy and peppery, thick, rounded tannins, really chewy, a bit porty with hints of dried fruits though the fruit is not overly raisined. Has all the complexity you would expect from a multi-vintage blend of two varieties. Long, dark, almost charry aftertaste. It's complex and concentrated rather than fresh, with a slight bitterness on the finish. Sip carefully. There's a kick of freshness at the very end despite the alcoholic heat. (JH)