Quinta Do Crasto - 2019 - Touriga Franca - 750 ml.

The 2019 Touriga Franca was aged for 18 months in 90% new French oak and comes in at 14.7% alcohol. It is not common to see this grape as a monovarietal, but there are some. Crasto is getting it right and helping to lead the way. This opens softly, leaning to sensuality, but it expands in the glass, shows off its fine structure and becomes steadily more interesting. It is a lot less sensual at that point but a lot more powerful. The finish is long and gripping. Since the tannins are moderately ripe, this can be drunk now, but this has a real backbone. Giving it a few years to age would be a great idea. It is still closed and a little too aggressive. Some cellaring will let it come together and become more harmonious. It's hard pressed to match the aromatic glory of its Touriga Nacional sibling, but it certainly has virtues of its own. It does seem very ripe this year. Hopefully, it holds its balance as it ages.