Have read somewhere that this Douro red needs 3-4 hrs decanting, and it proved to be correct. Label stating that the grapes are from the oldest part of Quinta da Gaivosa (over 80 years old vines) and the wine consists of over 20 different types of grapes. That part of the quinta was abandoned for a while before Domingos Alves de Sousa entered the family company. Therefore the name.
4 hrs decanting. Dark red colour. Lovely Douro aroma of the usual mix of berries, oak and minerals. Full body. Extremely well structured. The taste is powerful, elegant, berries, minerals/terroir, oak is quite subdued, demanding towards the end. Long aftertaste. Ready for drinking now, but will also be suitable for longer cellaring. Buy this one if you can find it. 94 pts.
TN: 2009 Alves de Sousa Abandonado Douro red
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