Quinta do Vallado
Reserva Field Blend Douro Red Blend
Douro, Portugal
Popped and poured. This was absolutely slamming tonight and by far the best of the bottles I’ve cellared since release. The cork was in pristine condition. The 2010 Reserva Field Blend pours a dark garnet color with no glaring signs of age. Moderate staining of the tears; some sediment “patina” on the bottle but very little sediment in the glass. On the nose, this wine was bursting with character: a mix of dark fruits; plums and brambles with leather, tobacco, earth, flowers and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium+ tannin (that was beautifully integrated) and medium+ lip smacking acid that begged for more of the paella we were enjoying alongside. The finish was looooooong. A stunning wine that captivated all of us at the table. A word to those who buy these wines: hold them for at least 10 years post vintage to get the most out of them. I so wish I had more.
Popped and poured. This was absolutely slamming tonight and by far the best of the bottles I’ve cellared since release. The cork was in pristine condition. The 2010 Reserva Field Blend pours a dark garnet color with no glaring signs of age. Moderate staining of the tears; some sediment “patina” on the bottle but very little sediment in the glass. On the nose, this wine was bursting with character: a mix of dark fruits; plums and brambles with leather, tobacco, earth, flowers and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium+ tannin (that was beautifully integrated) and medium+ lip smacking acid that begged for more of the paella we were enjoying alongside. The finish was looooooong. A stunning wine that captivated all of us at the table. A word to those who buy these wines: hold them for at least 10 years post vintage to get the most out of them. I so wish I had more.
Dec 15th, 2021Popped and poured, consumed over four hours. Pours deep garnet. No visual signs of age though, there is a good bit of very fine sediment (nothing off-putting). High toned aromas of bright red berries. The palate is crunchy raspberries and kirsch. Plenty of structure. Tannins are medium and acid is plenty. Very slow to evolve in the glass but it did slowly open. This was a delight. I have one more bottle of this in the cellar and I suspect it would be even better 10 years from now. Drink or Hold.
Popped and poured, consumed over four hours. Pours deep garnet. No visual signs of age though, there is a good bit of very fine sediment (nothing off-putting). High toned aromas of bright red berries. The palate is crunchy raspberries and kirsch. Plenty of structure. Tannins are medium and acid is plenty. Very slow to evolve in the glass but it did slowly open. This was a delight. I have one more bottle of this in the cellar and I suspect it would be even better 10 years from now. Drink or Hold.
1 person found it helpfulDec 27th, 2017Really, really young. Interesting. Big. Holding my two remaining bottles.
Really, really young. Interesting. Big. Holding my two remaining bottles.
Jul 28th, 2014
Amazing with marinated flank steak on bbq
Amazing with marinated flank steak on bbq
May 15th, 2015
Not much on the nose but fantastic balance of the tannins and acidity.
Not much on the nose but fantastic balance of the tannins and acidity.
Feb 5th, 2015
A little surprise from Portugal on a hot summer night! Very aromatic almost perfume smell with a hint of sweet spice on the nose, black plum, figs, silky smooth tannin, and with great length!
A little surprise from Portugal on a hot summer night! Very aromatic almost perfume smell with a hint of sweet spice on the nose, black plum, figs, silky smooth tannin, and with great length!
Jul 5th, 2013