2018 Wine & Soul Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas [WS95][WA93][WE93]{W&S91] WINE

“This fleshy, concentrated red is packed with boysenberry and currant fruit edged with orange peel, forest floor and savory spice elements that add complexity and focus. Details of Earl Grey tea, mineral and herb meld together on the long, elegant finish. Best from 2022 through 2035.” 

“The 2018 Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas is a field blend (over 30 grapes) from centenarian vines aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak, and it comes in at 14.8% alcohol. Always subtle and a little understated, this is nonetheless a supercharged version of the regular Manoella Tinto this issue. It retains some of the silky elegance and all of the impeccable balance while adding more concentration and power. It improves and tightens in the glass. It also adds a bit more wood, which shows up here and there. That will get better in time. Although this seems almost approachable today, as its tannins are moderately ripe, its ability to tighten with air and its lack of development demonstrate that it really needs at least a couple of years more in the cellar for better results, preferably more. I’m not convinced yet that this is a great Manoella, but it still has some time and some room to make its case. It is certainly very good, and it has the components to improve notably.” 

“Centenarian vines from a vineyard in the depths of the Pinhão Valley have produced an immense wine. It is dark, with chocolate flavors and powerful tannins. But it does also have a layer of black fruits that will come through strongly. Drink the wine from 2024.” 

“The old vines at Manoella include more tinta francisca than is typically found at most Pinhão Valley vineyards; it’s a variety with a lean profile that seems to point up the schist tannins in this wine. Those dry tannins are completely filled out by the velvety richness of the fruit, sweet, ripe and smoothly oaked. Berkshire chef and baker Amy Loveless found the ripe blackberry flavors compelling, and commented, “I can imagine this with a blackberry-apple pie.””