2012 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo VV47 Quinta dos Murças

The 2012 VV'47, the first Margem, is a field blend (Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and others) from 1947 vines aged for 12 months in used French oak. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Another of the winery's single-parcel wines this issue, this one is from the top of the quinta, "the oldest vertical vineyard planted in the Douro," the winery says. The "VV'47" references Vinhas Velhas (old vines) and the 1947 origin of the vineyard. The first VV'47, this comes in a vintage that tended to produce somewhat compact wines. This is no exception. Sharp, not overly expressive and not particularly fleshy, this doesn't seem to have much depth, but it does have finesse, brightness and precision. As it opens, it becomes far more interesting. The texture is silky. The tannic pop is still notable, although this is not too astringent to drink now. Although the fruit has gained at least a little purity, it is not terribly assertive. The structure is easily in charge. I did appreciate its sensual feel, though. However, even at this age, this is fairly closed—that's assuming the fruit will ever gain more expressiveness. Overall, this is a very good debut, but the wine needs to show a bit more considering its price point. It still has upside potential in the cellar, so it may do exactly that in time. I have my doubts. As it aired out, the expectation that it would show a bit more was not fully met. Call this a good debut, but not a perfect one, in a fairly tough year. There were 3,900 bottles produced.