Quinta Valle D. Maria Vinhas Velhas 2020 – Douro

The wine has a deep ruby color. On the nose, it is reserved and requires aeration. It then expresses notes of juicy morello cherry, wild blackberry, wild strawberry, crushed raspberry, black plum, dried cherry and prunes in chocolate, combined with herbaceous touches of tobacco, peppermint, fresh thyme and roasted bouquet garni, as well as aromas of sweet spices (vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, cloves), dark chocolate, fresh flowers (iris, peony, violet). We also find a gourmet hint of torrefaction (coffee, caramelised hazelnuts, toasted wood). The mouth is enveloping and generous, dense and straight. It expresses notes of morello cherry, blackberry, crushed blackcurrant (or even crème de cassis in the background), crushed wild strawberry, jam, raspberry, blueberry jam, associated with notes of liquorice, fresh vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, flowers (iris, violet), chocolate cherry and torrefaction (toasted hazelnut, a fine hint of caramel). The finish is persistent, gourmand, even slightly sweet, with notes of prunes and cherries in chocolate, balanced by a salivating acidity. Good persistence in the mouth, the tannins are structured, very fine and melted. A fleshy and balanced wine, with good aging potential.