The 2010 TINTO is principally a "big three" blend of Touriga Nacional (25%), Touriga Franca (30%) and Tinta Roriz (20%), with a smattering of Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cao (10% combined), plus a little bit of an old vines field blend (10%, 70+ years), all aged in a mixture of tank (75%) and oak (25%) for 14 months. In this vintage, the regular Tinto is a bit restrained, but I rather loved its bright and slightly earthy demeanor, pure fruit with a touch of bitter chocolate on the end. Soft and gentle on opening, it still seems to have fleshed out. It appears a bit more substantial now as retasted in the USA than on my first look in Douro when, frankly, I thought it was a bit too soft and insubstantial for its own good. As it is now, it is quite charming, beautifully balanced and more solid than it first appeared to be. I liked it more and more as it sat and showed some crisp intensity. For the regular, bargain priced Tinto, this is a very nice performance in this vintage. If I had a quibble, it did fade a bit on the finish with an hour's air, not a grave complaint about a wine in this price category. It has some character and it should drink well young. Drink now-2019.
Importer: Quintessential, Napa, CA; tel: (646) 484-6411