2018 Quinta da Corte

Full bottle 1,403 g. 60% Touriga Franca, 40% Touriga Nacional. The spring and early summer months were very rainy and cold, which affected the development of the vine and delayed the vegetative cycle. However, the months of August and September were hot and dry, which meant that the harvest date was not delayed compared with previous years. Fermented in stainless-steel vats with temperature control. Prolonged maceration. Ageing in 500-litre French oak barrels until bottling. TA 5.6 g/l, pH 3.9. Deep crimson with opaque core. Intense aroma of sweet, ripe black fruits with a hint of spicy oak. Powerful, thickly textured tannins, with an attractive combination of rich but still bright fruit and freshness on the finish. There is just a suggestion of heat at the back of the throat but the freshness helps to balance that. Although the tannins are quite thick, they are becoming smooth. Long, surprisingly juicy finish even if it is still quite oaky. More power than the Princesa 2021 but I prefer the latter's less obviously oaky drinkability. I hope this will settle down and become less oaky with longer in the bottle but there is no sign of the oak receding at the moment. (JH)