2019 Vinha da Francisca

The 2019 Vinha da Francisca (Quinta Vale D. Maria) is a field blend of Sousão, Touriga Nacional and others, heavy on Sousão, all aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 14.6% alcohol. I've always considered this one of the most elegant upper-level wines in the stable (in stark contrast to the Vinha do Rio), with particular attention to mid-palate finesse. Things have been a little different of late. In this big vintage, you get something with less mid-palate finesse but more richness. It is chock-full of the big and bold Douro fruit a lot of folks like and expect. For all of that, it manages to keep its balance, and rather easily. The flavor profile is nuanced and bit spicy with a touch more of red fruits. It tastes great, but it is not ponderous. This seems well positioned to age and develop. The tannins are ripe enough to make it possible to drink today, although that is the not the best idea just now. Give it at least another year. It will be interesting to see how this evolves.