Dona Maria Grande Reserva 2015

Description

The 2015 Grande Reserva is a blend of 50% Alicante Bouschet old vines (80+ years old and grown at 450 meters in altitude), 20% Syrah, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Touriga Nacional, all aged for 12 months in new French oak and another 18 months with cement. It comes in at 14.7% alcohol. This is stunning. Pointed, precise and tightly wound, it finishes with a bang, gripping and intense, both in structure and flavor. The tannins are not too hard, though. It started slowly and gathered steam, steadily improving with air. The flavor medley is complex, showing off rare beef and a hint of game. From the mid-palate finesse to the exceptional structure and precision, complexity and big finish, this might well be the best Grande Reserva the winery has made. It could use a couple of years in the cellar. It should improve more. It should also last at least another 15 years, maybe more. I won't be surprised if, when it settles in, it shows better than it does today. For the quality, it is also a fine value. Drink date: 2022-2040. Score - 95. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, Oct. 30, 2020)

Tags

Alicante Blend, Full-bodied & Firm, Red Wine, Wine, XD - Extra Dry