2018 Vertente
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Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,312 g. Vertente means ‘aspect’ or ‘hillside’. Vines 50–80 years old, a mix of traditional varieties. Fermented in conical stainless-steel tanks before being left to mature for 22 months in French oak barrels. Mid to light cherry red. Pure and rather delicate aroma of dark-red fruits and a lightly herbal freshness (but fully ripe), a fine floral scent. Elegant, bone dry, with incredibly fine and deliciously dry tannins. Perfect balance in a subtle but long wine. The floral aroma becomes more evident as the wine warms in the glass. The oak is supremely discreet. A wine of beauty and refinement and so youthful still. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Mark Squires
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Vertente is a field blend of grapes like Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca aged for 22 months in 90% used French oak. It comes in at 12.6% alcohol. Always one of the winery's best values, this sometimes hangs with the big boys while coming in at a very nice price point. This year, it's graceful and textured, adding very ripe tannins on the finish. It is probably a step or two behind the 2017, but still very good. Easy to drink right now, it should still hold at least another decade or so. There were 78,800 bottles produced from vines ranging from 30 to 60 years in age.