I was impressed by the freshness, harmony and balance of the 2022 Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas, I’m sure the old vines and the cooler place helped to produce a wine that almost feels miraculous for the torrid 2022 conditions. The wine is harmonious and balanced, displaying a bright ruby color and an expressive nose of wild berries, flowers and herbs with fine spices and a smoky twist, not intrusive and coming through as a triumph over the adverse conditions of the year. It has contained 13.5% alcohol and matured in French barriques for 22 months. It’s a lot more approachable than the Pintas from this same vintage.