Cedro do Noval 2004, Douro
~$20-40 US 40% Touriga Nacional, 40% Tinta Roriz, 20% Touriga Franca, Douro Portugal
I’m just getting into the dry wines of Portugal, and the last few I’ve tried have really overdelivered on their $10-15 price point. I’m curious to see what the next pricing tier had to offer - so when I saw this Douro wine with a slashed price, it was a no brainer.
Day 1- Deep garnet. Red and black cherry with subtle garrigue/herbal notes. Very tight - but serious “delicious potential” - needs more time.
Day 2-Slightly more open - now showing white pepper and a very refined and elegant palate. Still very tight - I wouldn’t be afraid to put this away until 2012+ - but there is no harm in enjoying it now (with food to help balance the mild tannic astringency on the back-end.) Medium bodied and stylishly balanced acidity, herbal complexity and fruit. Leather and cherries. Again, the finish speaks to me about the ’schisty’ Douro hills - and the overall impression reminds me of the more elegant Priorats like Lo Givot.
Terrific value at its sale price - it’s simply rare get this level of quality and age-ability for this price. This Douro strikes well beyond it’s weight class.