Garrafeira 2015

Lobenberg: Das Aushängeschild des Weingutes und zurecht hoch bewertet von Robert Parkers Wine Advocate. Extreme Auslese, handverlesen. Im Keller über Nacht abgekühlt vor der Gärung. Fußgepresst in Granit-Lagares. Für 24 Monate in gebrauchten Barriquefässern, und dann weitere 30 Monate auf der Flasche gereift. Wow, hier steigen wir in die Tiefe ab. In der Nase schwärzeste Kirsche, frischeste Pflaume, dazu ein bisschen Süßholz, Tabak. Ein Hauch Eukalyptus, feinste Kräuter. Enorm komplex, voller Tiefe, Fruchtsüße, Mineralik. Druck und Eleganz. Der Mund ist noch mal wow. Schwarze Frucht. Kirsche, Beeren, Cassis. Ein Kraftpaket, aber gezähmt. Das Tannin leichtkörnig, die Säure frisch und elegant, die Frucht intensiv. Gehört zu den allerbesten Weinen im Dao und damit auch zu den ganz großen Weinen Portugals. Must have. 96-97/100

-- Parker: The 2015 Garrafeira Quinta da Falorca Old Vines, the first since the 2011 (the winery will have relatively few red 2014s and 2013s, both tough vintages) is a field blend (40+ different grapes) from centenarian old vines, although about 60% is estimated to be Touriga Nacional. It was aged for 24 months in new French oak and comes in at 14% alcohol. When last seen, this was not yet bottled, but it sure looked super. Refined and sensual, this touches all the bases. The first impression is that nose. You might want to just smell this. It is so sexy and so flowery in aromatics that it is a shame to drink it. Still, soldier on, because it is equally gorgeous on the palate. It coats the palate, in fact, and the blue fruits are delectable on the finish. Given the late release, the tannins are controlled and you can drink this now. However, it is still firm on the finish and could use more time. It certainly has the structure to support the fruit as it ages. 96/100