2016 Quinta de Chocapalha, Guarita

Denne ny vin lavet på ren Alicante Bouschet fra en 32 år gammel enkeltmark med meget stort kalkindhold i jordbunden er en reference for druesorten. Vinificeret med fodtrædning i lagares inden malolaktisk gæring og lagring i franske fade i 20 måneder, præsenteres den først efter lang flaskelagring. Kun 2500 flasker tappet. Den åbner med masser af brombær, lakrids, fadkrydderi, mørk chokolade, blomster, blyant, tørret kød og hindbær i en potent med raffineret aromatisk eksplosion. Fyldig, righoldig og omfavnende, lægger den kraftige vin i hele mundhulen, hvor den løftes og bliver spændende af den præcise og perfekt doserede syrerygrad og de pirrende kalkede toner, som giver vinen energi. Den er pakket med saft og kraft, men den er elegant og flaskelagringen har poleret tanninen allerede. Så har man set det med! (-2030+) ****+

96 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Guarita da Chocapalha is an Alicante Bouschet aged for 22 months in 30% new French oak. It comes in at 14.6% alcohol. A bit more forward, says the winery (and I agree), than the dense and very ripe 2015 seen a couple of years ago, this is just gorgeous, a great success for this rare brand. This opens emphasizing its freshness and structure. It's bright and just a little piquant, relative to Alicante. The tannins make this gripping and lively, but they are never harsh or particularly astringent. Once past the fresh opening, this very elegant Alicante opens up and shows off its strong personality. It becomes very Alicante-ish, if I can put it that way. The big finish is filled with flavor, including some classic hints of beef. It is very expressive. The structure supports this well, the controlled power gripping the palate while the fruit asserts itself. This brand hasn't had a chance to develop much of a track record, but this looks like it can age. It is also drinkable now, although nowhere near peak. This will not be made every year, but the 2017 is already planned. This is sourced from a single parcel with 32-year-old vines. There were approximately 2,500 bottles produced."