TN: 2006 Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Reserva Douro

[Roy Hersh]

I had a magnum that I opened of this with some family members last month at Thanksgiving. Friday night, I opened a 750 for a dear friend who was having her birthday party. The magnum was quite different in its life span which is to be expected. In a way, still way too young. The 750 though was very ready to drink and just about at the point where it is really coming into prime time, although that did not stop me from decanting it for four hours, based on my thoughts from the magnum. Stellar showing of this fine old vines blend. I think the potential upside from here is limited in the normal format, but for sure, this is drinking really well, with spicy / brambly aromatics as well as flavors, more black than red and a smooth operator on the palate. I am torn on the score of 93+ and 94, but well err on the lower side. The oak is just a little too prevalent, which was even more exaggerated in the magnum. 93+