"The 2001 'Grande Escolha' (Quinta do Vale da Raposa) 'special selection' is ripe and flavorful, but not quite in the same exotic way as some of this producer's other offerings, like the Lordelo and 2003 Touriga Nacional. For one thing, it doesn't seem like very ripe, New World Pinot Noir. After some opening intensity and extreme hardness, it blossoms, throwing off sweet fruit and persistent flavors. It became utterly charming. The tannins seemed to moderate very quickly, and it took a lot more air to get some back (at which point, they showed their power, and were rather drying). Although the fruit is sweet, and this is a long, long way from austere, this is a lot more restrained in demeanor than, for example, its cousin, the 2003 Touriga Nacional. It feels full in the mouth on first attack, but it is quite well constructed, the texture soft and attractive, and the mid-palate more elegant than you might think after a quick taste. With cellaring and/or air, the fruit should show more character in addition to the nice flavors it currently has. There is enough acidity to enliven the wine and it finishes with some brightness - and a hint of harshness, which was my only real concern on rating this wine. Notwithstanding that, I greatly enjoyed this. It needs 30-45 minutes of air to wake it up. There were just 160 cases imported, which is too bad, since this may be the best deal in the lineup. Drink now-2013."

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