The 2007 TOURIGA NACIONAL was aged for 8 months in a mixture of French (80%) and American oak. Not yet released, it should debut in the marketplace roughly in the Spring of 2011. Elegant in the mid-palate and quite precise, this Touriga Nacional is earthy on first impression, but shows quite a bit of oak thereafter. It is a remarkably graceful wine, while showing some power on the finish. Juicy and easy to drink after aeration at least, it is a lot of fun and has enough structure to be serious wine, but it does come with a significant price tag. There were 5,205 bottles produced. Drink now-2017. Importers: Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, NY; tel. (914) 664-3155; Vinos Unico, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 531-3419; Vinum Wine Importers, Seattle, WA; tel: (206) 621-8843.

This is a big wine, going on sweet and superripe. It is almost heavy, the acidity a necessary foil to the dense matter here. Sweet and perfumed berry fruits are dominant along with spice from new wood.——R.V.(8/1/2010)—— 88