Quinta Vale D. Maria, Vinha do Rio 2019 – Douro

The wine has a deep ruby color. The nose offers finesse, complexity, as well as depth. It expresses the savory notes of sweet spices (roasted vanilla, toasted coriander seeds, cumin seeds, liquorice, ground cloves), combined with notes of juicy fruits (griotte, black plum, wild strawberry, crushed blackcurrant), with a touch of macerated and dried fruits (amarena cherry, dried red cherry), red cherry jam, as well as floral bouquet (peony, lilac), herbaceous notes (peppermint, bay leaf, fresh tobacco, rosemary) and with a fine hint of torrefaction in the background (coffee, caramelized hazelnut). The palate is warming and full: it offers notes of fleshy fruits (crushed morello cherry, cherry cherry, prunes in alcohol, crushed wild strawberries, raspberry jam, crème de cassis), combined with expressive chocolaty touches (cocoa, dark chocolate, prunes in chocolate), herbaceous and floral notes (dried mint, tobacco, rosemary, peony, iris), torrefaction (coffee, caramelized hazelnut) and sweet spices (roasted vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, nutmeg). The tannins are powerful, but very fine and melted, powdery and cocoa, refreshed by a salivating acidity. The finish is gourmand and persistent: it expresses a slight alcohol side (cherry in kirsch) as well as the gourmandize of prunes and cherries in chocolate.