2011 Quinta de Lemos Touriga Nacional Dao

The 2011 Touriga Nacional was aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months. It comes in at 14% alcohol. This shows how the winery is improving as time goes on when put next to the 2007 Touriga Nacional also reviewed this issue. That's why checking on oldies is a useful informational exercise, even if we don't have them in our personal cellar. Like the 2007, this is also powerful and tight, a touch rustic. The fruit is certainly aging faster than the tannins are moderating. They are quite similar in that regard. That said, this 2011 is far more expressive of the grape and better focused. Overall, this is far more interesting. Many of the wines from this producer are wonderful values considering their quality, but the Touriga Nacional brand might consistently be the best value. This is a lot of wine for the price. It is still capable of improving more with more time in the cellar, even if it is drinkable now. In fact, I'd expect it to. The price merely reflects the current release price.