Quinta Do Crasto - 2018 - Tinta Roriz - 750 ml.

The 2018 Tinta Roriz was aged in new French oak for 16 to 18 months, depending on the plot (with three vineyards separately fermented). It comes in at 14.7% alcohol. There's a long finish filled with flavorful fruit. It has both personality and structure. This manages to show mid-palate finesse as well. It's another big winner from Crasto this report. Crasto tends to make refined and accessible wines these days, but this is always the one with the most tannic pop, at least among the monovarietals. (Sometimes, when the specialty wines like Vinha da Ponte are produced, there are competitors in that regard.) This is a little tight, and it tightens even more with an hour of air. Even here, though, the wine is put together beautifully and without too much astringency. There is plenty of tannic pop, but the tannins are not too hard. So, you could drink this now, although that would be a big mistake. Coming back around 2023-2025 would be a much better idea, and it may not be at peak even then. Not many in Portugal are having this type of success with this famed Spanish grape (a.k.a. Tempranillo)

James Suckling: 93

This is earthy and chocolaty with ripe, mellow dark fruit and spicy undertones. Full and velvety with juicy acidity coming through. Textural and firm with a lingering finish. A little austere, but there’s plenty of energy here.

Wine Enthusiast: 0