The 2008 TINTO is a Douro blend, 30% Touriga Franca, 25% Touriga Nacional, 20% Tinta Roriz, 5% Sousao, and the remaining 20% an old vines field blend (70+ years). This is often one of the Douro’s nice bargains when Vallado hits a good vintage. Aged in a mixture of French oak (20% for 14 months) and stainless steel (80%), it has fine aromatics on opening and great purity of fruit, if rather modest concentration. It is interesting to compare this to the ’07—and the balance may yet change-- but at the moment I’d give the slight nod to the 2007, if only because there seemed to be just a little funk on this wine, which seemed to get stronger with aeration, perhaps a bit of reduction. That may improve. Either way, this is an awfully nice Tinto at a rather attractive price point, well crafted, graceful, elegant and charming, and with some character. It is simply a pleasure to drink and should be better in a year or two. There were 15,810 twelve bottle cases produced. Drink now-2018. The 2008 vintage in Portugal is probably not quite as consistent for reds as the 2007 vintage, and they are certainly differently styled, a little crisper and pointed, but on a winery-by-winery basis, some people did as well or better. Vallado seems to have put together a superb 2008 vintage. The wines seem bright and focused, with the structure to age and develop in the cellar. They are wines worth seeking out.Importer: Quintessential, 1932 Sierra Avenue, Napa, CA 94558 (707) 226-8300.

Dense color is the character of the Sousao grape, and this wine—almost black—exhibits that character very well. For taste, cherry juice, cranberry and chewy tannins are sharpened by acidity.——R.V.(11/1/2010)—— 89

This entry-level wine from Quinta do Vallado includes purchased grapes in the blend. The latest vintage has stalky, chewy fruit, acidity, solid tannins. Spice and pepper liven up the simple red fruits.——R.V.(11/1/2010)—— 88