Vértice Millésime 2010

"The 2010 Millésime Espumante Bruto (Vertice) was aged in bottle for 36 months and has 15% of its juice sourced from the 2009 vintage. That portion was aged for one year in 4-year-old French barrels. Disgorged in December, 2013, it is a blend of 32% Touriga Franca, 28% Gouveio, 24% Malvasia Fina, 7% Viosinho and dollops of Touriga Nacional, Rabigato, Arinto and Códega. Next to the "Cuvée," also reviewed, this adds another layer or two of concentration, more complexity and more pure power. I've said it before, but while the Cuvée is a bargain and very nice in its own right, if you are not overly price sensitive this bottling brings more of everything and is easily worth another few dollars. It is a beauty in a year that didn't always see Douro at its best, but how and when you pick for sparklers (especially the whites) is often a different issue. In any event, it works out great here."