1999 Vinha da Fojo Douro 90RP

"The 1999 “Vinha do Fojo” (Quinta do Fojo) is intense and rather bright. There was bitterness on the finish with the opening of this wine. I rather liked how this evolved, however, as it became a gentler, sunnier wine, with a flavorful finish and liveliness, losing most of that bitter note. The mid-palate is elegant in weight, but by no means delicate. There is some really good, really flavorful fruit here, which keeps asserting itself as the wine airs out. I had my doubts, but I think this eventually made a believer out of me, as the tannins moderated nicely with air. It needed about an hour. Drink now-2012.

This producer is related to the co-owner/co-winemaker Jorge Borges of Pintas fame, and makes some cult-y wines of her own. From what I saw here, they walk the walk, and this was one of the more impressive groups of wines I reviewed. They are certainly pricey, and they have a rather old-fashioned approach to tannins to some extent, but they deliver." — Robert Parker, 90 pts