Gloria Reserva 2018 (Portugal) - Wine Review

I last enjoyed the 2016 Gloria Reserva back in the summer of 2019, and for tonight's wine review I am pleased to bring you the latest vintage of this Portguese red wine that arrived at the LCBO as part of the July 11, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release and is still available for purchase throughout Ontario.

The story of Vicente Faria Vinhos, which is currently located in Moreira, just north of Porto, begins seven generations ago, in the 18th century when Vicente's family settled in the Douro Valley to become one of the region's pioneering winemaking families. According to UNESCO, the Douro Valley is the first and oldest demarcated wine region in the world, where wines have been produced for over 2000 years. In this region, the diurnal temperatures are very high, ranging from 50° Celsius during the intense summer, down to -7° Celsius in the winter. The soils are essentially schist, and the vineyards develop very long roots in search of water and nutrients. Both of these conditions are ideal for winegrowing. Vicente Faria uses only sustainable farming practices, without irrigation and fertilization. Let's see how the 2018 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GLORIA RESERVA 2018 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#146522) (D) - $16.95
This blend of 40% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), 30% Touriga Franca, and 30% Touriga Nacional was manually harvested and transported in small boxes to the winery before undergoing selection. It was aged in oak barrels for 12 months. The medium-high intensity nose offers very ripe black cherry, dark berry, and wood spice aromas, plus touches of currant and herbs. The medium-bodied palate is ripe fruited, slightly sweet and a touch raisiny with flavours of black cherry, savoury wood spice, and herbs. It has good acidity and rounded tannins. Slightly sweet red berry and earthy notes linger on the finish, with good length. A casual wine that should appeal to many. Score: 87 pts

Other wines from Vicente Faria can be ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.