02 Wine & Soul, Douro "Pintas"

Holy lavendar. The aromas wafting from the glass are angelic, even for Portugal. Behind the floral, honeyed bouquet is a handful of fresh black pepper, blackberries, and a dusty meatiness akin to old prosciutto. Unfortunately, the acid and tannins are so austere at this point that little is revealed in the flavor beyond brown buttery oak, mocha, and hints of rare peppered filet. The broadness of this wine, however, and the passively increasing intensity of its finish suggest great things to come.