Domingos Alves de Sousa Reserva Pessoal 2015 – Douro DOC

A rare and highly prestigious release from Alves de Sousa, one of the pioneering families behind the modern renaissance of great dry wines from Portugal’s Douro Valley. Reserva Pessoal is produced only in exceptional years and represents one of the most exclusive expressions of Quinta da Gaivosa. The 2015 vintage is particularly special: a limited edition of just 2,400 bottles, released only after approximately nine years of maturation, commemorating the 75th birthday of Domingos Alves de Sousa. Produced from an old vineyard and traditional Douro varieties including Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão, the wine spent approximately 22 months in barrel, followed by extensive maturation in bottle before its eventual release. Deep ruby in colour, it offers layers of violets, dried black plum, liquorice, mature dark fruit, wild herbs and spice. The palate is rich and textured yet remarkably elegant, with silky tannins, fine acidity and a long, spicy and persistent finish. Critically acclaimed with 95 points from James Suckling, 94 from Robert Parker and 93 from Wine Spectator, this is a mature, cellar-worthy Douro with considerable further ageing potential.