TN: 2000 Quinta dos Aciprestes Tinto

[Roy Hersh]

2000 Quinta dos Aciprestes Tinto, Douro Red, by Real Companhia Velha - I prefer this just slightly to the 2003 version which was pleasant but uninspired. At six years of age the 2000 has come into focus. It shows a dark cranberry color and appears very youthful. I detect a meaty nose which brings to mind a lamb chop, along with a floral note, brambly dark berry fruit, followed by a touch of alcohol. The juice is tart and shows some underripe blueberry and rhubarb flavors along with youthful tannins and a medium body weight. It went well with steak at dinner this evening but is not as much fun to sip on its own. This is best to drink in the next year or two, as I seriously doubt that the lean fruit will outlive the tannins. 84 points