Claudia’s Reserve Red

The 2018 Claudia’s Reserve is mostly a 49/35 blend of Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, plus small amounts of others, mostly Touriga Nacional, for the rest. It was all aged for 10 months in used French oak. It comes in at 14.1% alcohol. Of the three value-priced reds from Quevedo this report, this is the only one with some tannic pop and firmness on the finish. For a mere $2 more over the Oscar’s Organic, it would be my pick. Finishing with precision and good fruit, this is also the only one of the value-priced wines with some chance to improve and develop notably. I’m not completely convinced it will, but it certainly has a shot. Given the price point, it’s a reasonable value even if this is what you get. In that regard, the tannins are real but still fairly ripe, so you can approach this now. June 2021.