Crasto 2015

The 2015 Tinto is a blend of 35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Franca and 10% Tinta Barroca. A small part of the blend was aged for six months in French oak. This has been seen before, but it is worth another look as it is a very fine value. It is still gloriously fruity, intense in flavor, yet showing lift to the fruit all the time. It is always fresh and lively, never jammy and sweet, even while very fruity. That may seem like a contradiction, but it's not. With more time in the bottle, it also is showing a bit more muscle as the fruit comes into perfect balance with the structure. This is even better now and a terrific value. Frankly, I'm not always sure how wines like this will age, because its fresh fruit is its biggest advantage. However, acidity also preserves. Plus, this is now showing a little complexity and it is better in perceptible structure, without the fruit losing much of anything. So, don't hesitate to drink it young, but it can hold for a decade from vintage date or more. Winemaker Manuel Lobo, by the way, said the 2001 was still drinking well. I won't be that optimistic yet. Score - 90. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, Aug. 31, 2017)