Quinta Do Crasto Superior Syrah 2017

The 2017 Syrah Superior, from 2004 plantings, is a Douro-sourced Syrah. As in Côte Rôtie, it also has Viognier (3%). It was aged for 16 months in 35% new French oak and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This was bottled in November 2019, so it had a few months to settle in before being tasted. This has been a good and consistent bottling since it debuted, with its own style and personality. It has the hints of Syrah beef, but it is a friendly wine with a clean, fruity finish and a modern feel. If you're looking for one of those high-personality Syrahs with game and earthiness, this isn't it. It also, however, isn't a jammy and flamboyant style. It has excellent balance in every respect. The texture and focus combine with the fruit and rather ripe tannins to make this gorgeous today. It drinks decently now, but it will be better in a year. Then, the real question here—and why I tend to max them out at this score ceiling—is whether they can actually develop and improve. This one looks like it might, but let's be conservative. They still have something to prove. The price is right, though, and there is no real risk for the short and mid-term. This has the potential to be the best yet in the brand. There were 21,320 bottles produced, plus some large-format bottles, from 15-year-old vines in Quinta da Cabreira (Douro Superior).