2015 Quinta do Vale Meao Douro Red

The 2015 Tinto, the estate flagship red, is about 90% Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, in roughly equal proportions, with dollops of other typical grapes. It was aged in 60% new French oak for 16 months and comes in at 14% alcohol. One of Douro's standard bearers, this is always on the elegant side. This year, though, it seems a bit more subdued than I'd anticipated, rather light in style, with moderate tannins. It seems likely to be approachable young, even if it is not all the way there yet. The next day, it fleshed out a bit and seemed completely ready to drink. This remarkably graceful Tinto is showing very little just now. It is perhaps a bit closed. It should still come around well, and it won't disappoint in general, but let's see it prove its case in the cellar.