Jose de Sousa 

José de Sousa Mayor 2014

14%. A hybrid style, this isn’t pure Vinho de Talha DOC, but 50% talha-produced. Grand Noir 58, Trincadeira 30%, Aragonez from Reguengos de Monsaraz. 12% fermented in talha, then aged for 9 months in 30% French Oak casks. Vanilla oak aromas and tannins are quite present and cover red fruits. Needs a lot more time to integrate. From a cooler moderate vintage that has less fruit to amass against barrique influence. 2 hours later, oak character becomes integrated into savory dried red fruits, felt now more than smelled or tasted. Fruit fleshing out to meet strong oaking, I suspect. Quite persistent flavors. (Tasted 2019) 89