While the 2014 Mouchāo, although far from its peak, is providing pleasure with a long decant, this remains virtually undrinkable. A wall of macacaúba wood and Alicante Bouschet leatheriness greets you grumpily on the nose. The palate is a roundhouse kick of tannin, with admittedly impressive volume but otherwise in dire need of food in order to balance out the roundness that is missing. This will either be a demigod or a Frankenstein in the far future, depending on how much of this hyper masculine frame integrates and smoothens out. I’ll keep buying the straight Mouchāo and building one heck of a cellar at a fraction of the cost.
Great note, Tomas!
I don’t think that I am ever offered these; should I be, I will definitely decline.
I actually like the 2013 Tonel 3-4 better than the 2011. Heresy I know. Ian Reynolds said the 2021 may be the best ever. They harvested before the rains.
What exactly are you referring to? Allocations?
I’ve always found the ordinary Mouchāo label to be incredibly satisfying and super long lived, with not much need to spend extra coin on the Tonel, but that’s my wallet.
Tried it a few years back, but can’t say I want to wrestle that tannic monster again without a lot of years on it.
Not allocations, Tomas,
I just never see them offered in the states; and i was agreeing with you and @Adam_Frisch, too much tannin and time to bother with.
Ah, but if you’re patient, they can be fabulous. Waiting to open some of 1996 that I have. Yes, 4 times the price of the regular tinto, I still try to get a bottle or two each time they’re released. I’ve never seen them in the States either. I source mine from Portugal.