Decanted about 3 hours. Dark purple ruby in color. Sweet blackberries dominate the nose. The tannins, which were noticeable on opening, are now very prominent on the palate and give an overall chalky feeling. Rich, but not overripe, brambly blackberries, saddle leather, and those chalky tannins are the main components on the palate. The long and fresh finish is an extension of the palate. What I really enjoy about this wine is how seamless it is across the palate and finish. Some 100% Touriga Nacional wines are overdone, often with too much oak influence, over ripe, or lacking in character and grip. This wine on the other hand simply allows the full expression of the Touriga Nacional grape to shine on it's own. The term "old school Douro wine" sure does apply here and I'm very grateful for that. This is a killer wine given the retail price of only about $18 (USD) and should be a nice mid term ager.
91 Points
TN: 2008 Altano Reserva Quinta do Ataíde Douro
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Andy Velebil
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TN: 2008 Altano Reserva Quinta do Ataíde Douro
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com