TN: 2004 Carm Tinto Grande Reserva

[Roy Hersh]

2004 Carm Tinto Grande Reserva, Douro Red wine - slightly more advanced than several other bottles I have opened recent weeks. This one seemed to act its age, instead of the youthful versions from previous bottles. Still a great wine and it was shared with Miguel Braga and his son Miguel last night at dinner. He was smitten by this Douro red, as it opened up. The first whiff offered leather, stewed plum and boysenberry notes. The maturity was there on the palate, but still loaded with concentrated fruit of blue and red fruits, tobacco leaf, refined tannins and a healthy dose of acidity; which carried the finish long and purely Douro. Again, not the best bottle from the eighteen I purchased, and for the bargain price of 39 euros a few months ago. Still worthy of 92-93 points, but I am typically at 94, when the bottle shows more vibrancy. 3/20/25