2010 Douro Red Casa de Casal de Loivos

The 2010 CASA DE CASAL DE LOIVOS is an old vines field blend (35-80 years old) aged in a mixture of new and old oak of varying ages for 18 months. This at the moment seems to be a rather light Casa de Casal de Loivos, a bit restrained compared to its usually sexy presentation, not to mention last year’s lovely performance (the 2009). It is still quite tasty and charming–I’m not sure this bottling can be anything else—but it does not look like one of the overachievers in this year. There are moderate tannins in the background. While a bit light and restrained, it is still appealingly graceful. It is a wine that will not merit much obsession this year, but it will still be a complete pleasure to drink. It also has some chance to develop in the cellar. At the moment, it is not terribly expressive. I’m leaning up a bit on potential, but it does seem affected a bit by the vintage this year and it does have some things to prove. There were 2,900 bottles produced. Drink now-2020. Importers (not everyone carries everything): Adventures in Wine, Daly City, CA; (tel): (415) 467-0130; Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.; tel: (914) 664-3155; Regal Wines, Moorestown, N.J.; (856) 985-6388 (for Van Zellers wines and CV only, although not exclusively); In the Northwest: Vinum, Seattle, WA; tel: (206) 621-8843