Reynolds Wine Growers - Gloria 2009

Reynolds Wine Growers - Gloria 2009 (93+ TSW)
Wow. What a beautiful blend from Alentejo - Portugal!

Equal parts of Alicante Bouschet and Trincadeira.

I recently reviewed the Grande Reserva 2012 from this winery with a great 92 TSW score.
This Gloria (glorious) blend really blew me out of my socks! 

The different grapes varieties are harvested separated and at night in the state’s vineyard closed to the winery. The full grains, free from the stalk, well sellected and clean, are poured into Seguin Moreau French oak vats for fermentation, with controlled temperature. Fermentation is therefore delayed to enrich the flavor oft he wine, before putting it into Seguin Moreau Icon French oak barrels for aging at least during 24 months. The bottling process is preceded by filtration and the final blend. The bottles stay in the cellar for at least 5 years before leaving the winery. Its structure allows a good evolution in the bottle that, kept at the right temperature, can age for a very long period.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep garnet red color.
On the medium(+) nose raspberries, red plums and dark berries with hints of cedar, coffee, tobacco, balsamico, meat, spices and herbs.
On the palate dry, full-bodied with medium(+) acidity and medium(+) ripe tannins. Great complex structure with nice round mouthfeel. Not yammy or sweet but elegant and fresh with dark cherries, plums, chocolate, spices, earth and balsamico hints. Wonderful and long finish. A real food wine which can age for an extra 10/15 years. Only 5.000 bottles produced. Lucky to taste one of them!

Dutch importer redeverde wines