Quinta do Vallado, Douro Valley (Portugal) Touriga Nacional 2012

The top wines from this producer are almost invariably excellent, and this varietal bottling of Touriga Nacional from 2012 is particularly successful.  Touriga is widely regarded as the best of the many varieties that may be included in Port, yet it can sometimes be overly intense and rather rough when not blended with other grapes.  That is most definitely not a problem for this wine, which is broad in texture and generously deep in flavor, yet very well balanced and integrated and only grippy — not astringent — in the finish.  Lovely notes of dark berries are accented with undertones of coffee, cocoa, toast and damp earth.  Delicious and very promising for pairing with most robust foods.