2016 Esporao Reserva Tinto

The 2016 Reserva red is roughly an equal blend of Aragonez and Trincadeira, with most of the last 20% being Alicante Bouschet and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged for 12 months in one-third new oak (60/40 American and French). It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. The Alicante may be a smaller amount here, but it seems to mark the wine strongly in flavor. The assertive power from all the grapes gives this quite a serious backbone, but the mid-palate is well up to the task of matching it. The fruit lingers beautifully on the finish. This may age better than indicated, and there won't be much problem keeping it for about a decade. It seems like the best in a while, even as many producers in the region complain about the vintage.