Ex Aequo 2015

Description

The 2015 Ex Aequo is a 75/25 blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional aged for 18 months in 40% new French oak. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This runs around 50 euros in Portugal, but it is not imported into the USA. Like the Parcela 24, this has fine mid-palate finesse and a hard edge, but it is probably a bit softer - just a bit - than the crisp Parcela 24. It is also, probably, a little deeper, so perhaps that supposed softer demeanor is just perception based on a different balance of components. Certainly, neither is really about the fruit just now. Tight and powerful, this is slowly emerging, but 'slowly' is the key word. You might try it next year, but that will probably not be good enough to allow this to become truly expressive, or even to allow the tannins to moderate. Drink date: 2022-2043. Score - 95. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, Aug. 30, 2019)

Tags

Full-bodied & Firm, Red Wine, Touriga Nacional/Syrah, Wine, XD - Extra Dry