3 | Wine | Douro, 86 to 90, 2009

"This juicy, medium-bodied red features plenty of minerality to the crushed red plum, dark cherry and raspberry flavors. Chocolate and spice notes mark the peppery finish."

"Pointed, with lurking powerful and beautiful structure, this year’s iteration of this Tinto is quite rather lovely and beautifully balanced. The fruit evolved beautifully with time, becoming quite delicious, although it took awhile to get there. It should age reasonably well and continue to improve for several years in the cellar."

"A minerally red, with shiso leaf notes to the bright cherry, currant and dark plum flavors. Medium-grained tannins lead to a finish of mineral and cocoa powder notes."

"The 2009 Tinto is this year’s version of Vallado’s entry level red, which has become a consistent value point in this lineup and in the Douro in general. It is rather concentrated this year, with good focus and structure, plus persistent, rather delicious flavors. It is again a nice value in this lineup, something I’ve become accustomed to saying, but I’d underline that this year. In many years, if it has a flaw, it is rather light and not terribly concentrated. This year, at least relatively speaking, it combines both elegance and a bit more depth. It has some 2009 oomph."