Quinta de la Rosa 2009 Reserva Douro Tinto 750ml

The 2009 Reserva is principally an old vines field blend from La Rosa’s best parcels, aged in French oak. Similar in quality, but dramatically different in style than winemaker Jorge Moreira’s own Poeira – noting that Moreira overall looks like a big star this year for his work with the 2009 reds and 2010 whites reviewed in this report--this shows some more obvious oak and somewhat more refined tannins. If it seems neither as earthy nor complex, it shows elegance in the mid-palate, deliciously juicy fruit, a substantial backbone of its own and intense flavor. If this can integrate its oak better – and I feel confident it will – it should be a lovely and ageworthy Reserva, increasingly sexy as time goes on and bursting with flavor. For all that – I was gratified to see it show some earthiness and complexity with air. It should be a winner all around.
eRobertParker.com, 93 points