2019 Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Vinha Centenária Referência P28/P21

The 2019 Vinha Centenária Referência P28/P21 is predominantly Tinta Roriz (75%), with the rest a field blend from centenarian vines that have an emphasis on Donzelinho Tinto (about 8% of the 80 some varieties). It was all aged for 12 months in new French oak and comes in at 14.6% alcohol. This has more tannic pop than the Touriga Nacional in this report but equally expressive fruit, if not the same aromatics and sexy blue fruits. Pick 'em, because they are both exceptional. I'd give the edge to this, but it depends on what you like. The grip on the finish laces the beautiful fruit onto your palate. It lingers a long time. Expect this to age for a couple of decades, maybe more, but it is not drinking too badly now. We will see if this or the Touriga wins in the end.

A red blend composed of 75% Touriga Nacional grapes (from P29—the first single-varietal Touriga plot planted in the Douro) and 25% Old Vines (P21), aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels. This is yet another superb edition of this red wine—expertly crafted in its opulent and concentrated style—yet featuring taut, ultra-fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity that lend balance to its entire structure and to its ripe red and black fruit profile (showing no signs of over-ripeness). Grand in every respect, it impresses with the precision and clarity of its overall composition, proving once again that unctuous, powerful wines can also be fluid and refined. It offers an intense, full, and lingering finish, with earthy notes alongside hints of plum, cassis, licorice, spice, and graphite. Patience is key here—whether in the glass or in the bottle—to allow the wine to reveal all its layers of aromas and flavors. It possesses all the attributes to evolve and improve even further over the next 20 years.