94-96 Mark Squires - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2009 ABANDONADO, tasted only in Douro, is a typical old vines field blend (80+ years) aged for 18 months in a combination of Portuguese and French oak. Those old vines, says Tiago Alves de Sousa, include a lot of Sousao for acidity and Tinta Amarela. This makes this wine both intense and complex, a winter weight product with an herbal nuance and an exotic note. Rich at times and bursting with flavor, it has notable tannins, a slight roasted meat nuance and a lot of everything. When released (it was not as of the time tasted), it will need time and food when finally opened. It is a big boy—but I suspect it will come along beautifully. Note: I was able to finally get a bottle in the USA, but it arrived rather late and likely unsettled. I will revisit this eventually, perhaps in a year or two when it should start pulling itself together. It looks very much like one of the stars of the vintage. Drink now-2024."