Quinta de Vale de Pios Excomungado 2022 Douro Portugal

Excommunicated from oak! So this blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cao, and Tinta Roriz is produced in steel tanks. An expert extraction brings the fresh feel of an old school claret, although the notes of balsam, plum, and dried pepper are the essence of Douro. 'The less I do, the better I do,' in the words of architect-turned-winemaker Joaquim Almeida. This Douro red's chiselled minerality and transparency of fruit reflects Joaquim's hands-off approach and lets the local varieties and schist soils speak for themselves. Aged in stainless steel and then in bottle, the tannins are soft and poised, supporting the plum, red cherry, and blood orange flavours with ease. Simply delicious.