2008 Tonel No 3-4
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Tasting notes
Served from a double magnum. These two 5,000-litre casks (Tonel 3 and 4) always seem to produce the best Alicante Bouschet and now they have started selecting the best fruit from the Carapetos vineyard to go into these two vats. It has rivers on either side and does not need irrigation. Mouchão means 'land between two rivers'. In some vintages they are bottled separately. In others it is part of the regular Mouchão, made from their 70-80 5,000-litre vats. David Ferreira thinks the superiority of these two vats is due to the quality of the macacauba wood, which is a fine-textured Brazilian hardwood. TA 6.9 g/l, pH 3.47, RS 4.5 g/l, 8,500 bottles produced. Savoury, black olive aroma and a slight mintiness, smoky too but still with deep dark-fruited freshness. That minty note appears on the palate again, a bit leathery, and still a great balance between fruit intensity and freshness. Long and velvety, even more silky with food. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Mark Squires
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Tinto Tonel No 3 4 is all Alicante Bouschet. With fine purity of fruit and notable acidity, this is a touch shrill and mouth-puckering at times, but it is also focused and lifted, with fine flavor driven into the palate. It's a big wine. It's not particularly jammy or rich--the "big" comes from its structure and its intensity of flavor. Crisp and unevolved with a hard edge on the finish, this is just a baby that needs a lot more time. Old school, it should evolve more and well, but it needs time. The acidity will certainly help preserve it.