2018 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,238 g. The grapes were vinified in 5- and 10-ton stainless-steel vats with controlled temperature and scheduled remontage. After malolactic conversion, all wines were transferred to 225-litre French oak barrels, where they remain for about 16 months. Bottled July 2020. TA 5.3 g/l, pH 3.73. Very deep crimson with purplish rim. Characteristically aromatic for Touriga Nacional. Lively black fruit – more blackberry and damson than cassis – with a layer of rocky Douro minerality and a light floral touch. Here the alcohol seems well hidden. Seems to have more oak sweetness than the Sousão and the Tinta Roriz, more sweet-sour contrast between the ripe fruit and the acidity. Firm, polished tannins. A rounded, harmonious example of Touriga Nacional with a spicy aftertaste. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Mark Squires
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Touriga Nacional was aged for 16 months in 50% new French barriques and comes in at 13.9% alcohol. Mildly aromatic, very graceful and precise, this balanced Touriga seems caressing and sensual. The expressive fruit is not fully developed by any means, but this is surprisingly easy to drink right now, once past the initial tannic pop. The tannins, in fact, are quite ripe. Not quite as concentrated as the previous vintage, this is nonetheless pretty fine on its own terms. It should age well too, but let's be at least a little conservative. This still has room to grow and improve in the cellar if you can hold it a few years.