TN: 2003 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional Douro

[Andy Velebil]

Decanted 10 hours. Nose had some oak and was quite tight but showed some brambleberries. While the palate had some bold fruit, it was not overripe considering the vintage. Still very tannic, plenty of youthful fruit, with lots of acidity and a dusty and fruity long finish. Still a baby and this will only continue to improve with more aging in the cellar.
93 Points

[Roy Hersh]

Just enough acidity to keep this from seeming flabby but it was not overtly sweet as one might expect. It was the acidity that was a bit soft that has me concerned about its LT potential. It certainly will be fine for 15 years, but after that, I'm not sure how this will show. Probably a softer and far more elegant wine by that point.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Decanted 10 hours.

That's a long decant. Would you suggest the same for the 1999 vintage?

Mahmoud.

[Andy Velebil]

Decanted 10 hours.

That's a long decant. Would you suggest the same for the 1999 vintage?

Mahmoud.

The 2003 was a bigger wine than the 1999, so I would decant the '99 around 2-3 hours and slowly enjoy it.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Some people around here were critical of the '03 Reserva because of the vintage I suppose. A couple of years ago my first bottle appeared a bit awkward, a big wine but with very glossy fruit. I reckoned that a number of years in the cellar might straighten things out. Based on your suggestion Andy, I might try another bottle soon giving it a 10-hour decant.

I only have one bottle of the '99 and '01 so I think I'll be a bit more reticent about opening them anytime soon.

Mahmoud.