Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte 2016

The 2016 Vinha da Ponte, a field blend from very old vines (100 years), was aged in new French oak for 20 months. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Elegant and carefully concentrated—meaning you can feel the concentrated fruit but without jam and sloppiness—this brooding Ponte has a big kick on the finish. Powerful, intense and stern, it doesn't show a lot of expressive fruit compared to the Maria Teresa (despite some six hours of double decanting)—it never does when young. It typically develops later and always lacks Maria Teresa's lively personality overall. Despite its brooding nature, this still seems exceptional, though. It is a very fine Ponte that has the potential for long aging (perhaps even better than indicated) and development in the cellar. As with the 2016 Maria Teresa, I'm a little wary of this wine (it was only in bottle for 90 days and recently shipped to boot), but I'm leaning up a bit here. As Ponte goes, this was more expressive than normal, while retaining all of its typical concentration and power. This will be released sometime in 2020, but it sure won't be ready then. Try it around 2025-2027 for better results. There were 4,200 bottles produced, plus some large-format bottles.

A spicy red, with hot stone aromas flanking the ripe blackberry, plum and mocha flavors. Zesty, with ample white pepper aromas on the finish. Offers moderate, integrated tannins. Drink now through 2023. 375 cases made.