Quinta da Manoella Vinho Tinto Vinhas Velhas 2021 750ml

A few days after I tasted the bulk of their wines, I had a bottle of the impressive 2021 Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas, which they forgot to bring to the tasting. It was produced with the oldest vines on the property, planted some 120 years ago. The close to 30 different varieties were picked together on September 28th and vinified, partially destemmed, in stone lagares for 10 days. Aging was in French oak barrels and lasted for 22 months. The barrels were not new, but they marked the wine with intense aromas of sweet spices, vanilla and cinnamon and hints of toast and smoke, giving it a balsamic personality. It also has notes of ripe wild berries and herbs and a sense of ripeness but without excess. It has 14% alcohol and mellow acidity. It reminded me of some very good young wines from Ribera del Duero, with power, concentration and generous oak but also balance and elegance. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins and a medium to full-bodied palate. It should age nicely in bottle.