Aroma:
Concentrated, with intense mature red fruit aromas, hints of violets and "esteva" (a local Portuguese resinous bush).
Taste:
Good structure with matured round tannins and a long persistent finish.
Vinification:
The grapes, from both the younger vineyards (Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Sousão - 80%) and older vineyards (over 70 years old - 20%), were fermented in 10 and 5 ton stainless steel tanks for a week. All wines were fermented under controlled temperature varying between 25º and 27ºC. The finest of the press wine, from a traditional basket press, was also used for ageing for the final blend.
Varieties:
25% Touriga Franca
25% Touriga Nacional
25% Tinta Roriz
5% Sousão
20% Mixed old vineyards
Ageing:
70% aged for 16 months in stainless steel tanks. The remaining 30% aged in 225 litres used French Oak barriques (3rd and 4th year) for 16 months until final blending.
The 2015 Tinto, the regular red from Vallado, is an equal blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, with 20% old vines and 5% Sousao. About 70% of the juice was aged for 16 months in tank, with the rest in well-used French barriques. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This workhorse red (230,000 bottles produced) is light on the mid-palate but like so many 2015s it has wonderfully intense fruit flavors. Fresh and bright, with lifted flavors rather than just sweetness, this is lovely. It seems ethereal at times, but the fresh fruit lingers and is hard to forget. I doubt that this turns into anything more complex or distinguished in time, but it is going to be a popular choice. It will drink well young. - Robert Parker 89 Points
