Quinta Do Monte Xisto Douro 2013

This is an impressive, powerful wine. It speaks of the hard landscape of the Douro Superior, with its structure and dark tannins. At the same time, ripe dark fruits push through the still-young tannins giving the potential for a rich, black fruit dominated wine. Predominantly Touriga Nacional (60 percent), this wine is a new venture created by João Nicolau d'Almeida (who has run Ramos-Pinto for many years) and his family.

The wine is purple-fruited and packed with the floral notes of Douro fruit when first poured. The structure grows firmer, the tannins more delicate as it opens with air, peppery and clean, with a schisty edge to the velvet nap of the texture. It has a vibrant energy that captures the fresh side of the Douro Superior.