€55.25
SaleThe grapes going into this seem to be a well guarded secret, so secret we’re not even sure José and the rest of the Leite family know. They’re selected from the oldest vineyards in the estate, some of which are planted with an assortment of undocumented varietals going as far back as the 19th century. Suffice to say they almost certainly include the noble Douro staples Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, aged initially for a year in stainless steel tanks before being transferred to old oak casks for a further year.
The wash is opaque and cherry red in color, so viscous it coats the glass in a translucent filter of crimson-violet, like a murder scene in a shower cubicle. Wild strawberries, cherry liqueur, violets, spiced plums, toffee and black pepper waft enticingly, the palate thick and concentrated, silky smooth with tannins like the chocolate river in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, decadent layers of dates, coffee, caramel and crème de cassis augmenting the flavor and aromas. It’s a truly wonderful tasting experience.
Only 300 cases produced in exceptional vintages, with careful cellaring this will age for a number of decades.
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