Quinta do Vallado
Reserva Field Blend Douro Red Blend
Douro, Portugal
Smoke bomb.
Super complex.
Smooth lingering finish.
Over 30 grapes... really a field blend.
Smoke bomb.
Super complex.
Smooth lingering finish.
Over 30 grapes... really a field blend.
Popped and poured. This was absolutely slamming tonight and by far the best of the bottles I’ve cellared since release. The cork was in pristine condition. The 2010 Reserva Field Blend pours a dark garnet color with no glaring signs of age. Moderate staining of the tears; some sediment “patina” on the bottle but very little sediment in the glass. On the nose, this wine was bursting with character: a mix of dark fruits; plums and brambles with leather, tobacco, earth, flowers and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium+ tannin (that was beautifully integrated) and medium+ lip smacking acid that begged for more of the paella we were enjoying alongside. The finish was looooooong. A stunning wine that captivated all of us at the table. A word to those who buy these wines: hold them for at least 10 years post vintage to get the most out of them. I so wish I had more.
Popped and poured. This was absolutely slamming tonight and by far the best of the bottles I’ve cellared since release. The cork was in pristine condition. The 2010 Reserva Field Blend pours a dark garnet color with no glaring signs of age. Moderate staining of the tears; some sediment “patina” on the bottle but very little sediment in the glass. On the nose, this wine was bursting with character: a mix of dark fruits; plums and brambles with leather, tobacco, earth, flowers and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium+ tannin (that was beautifully integrated) and medium+ lip smacking acid that begged for more of the paella we were enjoying alongside. The finish was looooooong. A stunning wine that captivated all of us at the table. A word to those who buy these wines: hold them for at least 10 years post vintage to get the most out of them. I so wish I had more.
Dec 15th, 2021
Good stuff!! Mellow and textured. Cheers to a new year. 2020 what you got?
Good stuff!! Mellow and textured. Cheers to a new year. 2020 what you got?
Jan 1st, 2020Popped and poured, consumed over four hours. Pours deep garnet. No visual signs of age though, there is a good bit of very fine sediment (nothing off-putting). High toned aromas of bright red berries. The palate is crunchy raspberries and kirsch. Plenty of structure. Tannins are medium and acid is plenty. Very slow to evolve in the glass but it did slowly open. This was a delight. I have one more bottle of this in the cellar and I suspect it would be even better 10 years from now. Drink or Hold.
Popped and poured, consumed over four hours. Pours deep garnet. No visual signs of age though, there is a good bit of very fine sediment (nothing off-putting). High toned aromas of bright red berries. The palate is crunchy raspberries and kirsch. Plenty of structure. Tannins are medium and acid is plenty. Very slow to evolve in the glass but it did slowly open. This was a delight. I have one more bottle of this in the cellar and I suspect it would be even better 10 years from now. Drink or Hold.
1 person found it helpfulDec 27th, 2017
2012 Douros often overlooked after stellar 2011s. But this is stupendous, so deep and soon long.
2012 Douros often overlooked after stellar 2011s. But this is stupendous, so deep and soon long.
1 person found it helpfulMar 12th, 2015
Dark berry, tobacco, fig with a minerality.
Dark berry, tobacco, fig with a minerality.
Nov 25th, 2016
Wonderfully creamy sleek fruit on both nose & palate.
Wonderfully creamy sleek fruit on both nose & palate.
Feb 27th, 2016
Douro decadence. Dark blacks & reds, cured meats, wet minerals & Portuguese liquid love. Young, but that's why we have more. A great demonstration of why this region is on the rise.
Douro decadence. Dark blacks & reds, cured meats, wet minerals & Portuguese liquid love. Young, but that's why we have more. A great demonstration of why this region is on the rise.
Jan 7th, 2015This is amazing. Very juicy, with all the components of a great wine. Good now and probably for 10years or more.
This is amazing. Very juicy, with all the components of a great wine. Good now and probably for 10years or more.
Dec 9th, 2014