Antonio Maçanita is known as one of the most dynamic winemakers in Portugal - after spending three years in Bordeaux, Australia and the Napa Valley, he returned to the Alentejo in 2004 to make his first wine at the age of 24, in collaboration with English viticulturalist David Booth, before subsequently establishing wineries in the Azores and, by 2011, in the Douro. Joined in the Douro by his sister Joana, also a winemaker, the grapes for this wine are sourced from the Cima Corgo, near Pinhão. It is a blend of 55% Touriga Nacional, along with 25% old vine field blend and 20% Sousao. Memorably spicy and concentrated with notes of fig, violet and dark plum. Dense yet complete and finely rendered, offering refined tannins and a smooth creaminess. Stylish and harmonious.

The 2017 Tinto is a 55/20 blend of Touriga Nacional and Sousão with 25% of a field blend from old vines (80+ years), all aged for 12 months in a mixture of stainless steel (50%), new French oak (25%) and neutral oak (25%). It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Probably the best regular Tinto yet from the producer, this has fine concentration for that level to go with bold flavors—it is delicious—velvety texture and a real backbone. The tannins are ripe, though. This has to age a bit to justify my enthusiasm, but for the moment it seems right on track. - Mark Squires