Vieira de Sousa, Douro Tinto Reserva, Douro, Portugal 2021
{sustainable} Mostly Touriga Franca, with a little Touriga Nacional
INKY-RICH, PROFOUNDLY PURPLE CASSIS, FIG AND COCOA NIB
This hails from the same cool, riverside single vineyard as the unoaked cuvée and also stars Touriga Franca with Touriga Nacional in a supporting role. But the year that this Reserva spends in French oak barrels funnels its exuberance into a rich, deeply layered cuvée, with complex structure and sumptuous fruit. There is a certain navy-black essence that is native to higher-end examples of the Douro Valley’s reds. This expansively dark, robustly ripe gem has that special something, and we couldn’t be more thrilled or appreciative.
Serving Suggestion: Charcoal-grilled ribeye w/ extra sea salt on top. Sweet potato enchilada w/ mole negro, black beans, & coconut curry.