Cartuxa Evora Colheita Tinto 2014

The 2014 Cartuxa red is a blend of 45% Aragonez, 40% Alicante Bouschet and 15% Trincadeira, aged for 12 months in 75% used French oak. This is very solid in this vintage, showing good concentration, focus and moderate tannins. The oak is handled brilliantly, the acidity easily cutting through it. This is not the most concentrated Tinto, but it is solid enough and it becomes more expressive as it airs out. It is mostly about its freshness, the acidity giving this some zest and lift. It ends with well-defined fruit flavor. This is a fine off-vintage performance. The winemaker said to me that much of the harvest was done by the time the rains came and they harvested quickly for the rest, too. If it is on the elegant side, it still shows well. You can approach this now if you must, but giving it a year to settle down wouldn't hurt.