This maiden, 1,615-magnum 71.2%:28.8% blend of Maria Teresa/Ponte wines spent 20 months in new French oak. Sumptuous, very supple, it reflects the exceptional ripening conditions of a long, mild growing season. Lashings of red and black berry and currant fruit with orange blossom and dried rose lift, schist/salt lick minerality and savoury oak cedar, baking spice, coffee and clove riffs. Terrific depth, layer and spicy length. Nigh on irresistible.

The 2015 Honore (not to be confused with the Very Old Tawny Port) is a new Douro venture for Crasto. It was aged for 20 months in new barriques (92% French, the rest American) and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. It is made only in magnum, to which the price applies. As background, Crasto has some 42 separate plots and/or vineyards that are part of its estate. That's typically what makes up the Reserva Old Vines, with deletions for underperformers in a given year. The 2015, for instance, had 38 of the 42 plots used in the Reserva Old Vines (two deleted for poor performance, plus both Vinha da Ponte and Maria Teresa were bottled separately). Crasto, of course, is known for bottling Vinha da Ponte and Maria Teresa as single-plot offerings in appropriate years. In other years, they may be part of the Reserva Old Vines. In this new and unusual bottling, Crasto takes its very old Ponte and Maria Teresa vines and blends them together, with no other vineyard sources allowed (the opposite of the Reserva Old Vines' blending philosophy, which uses most of the 42 plots in most years). From centenarian vines, this is mostly sourced from Maria Teresa (71%) with the rest from Vinha da Ponte.It may seem curious, or it may just be a tribute to the concept of blending, but to me this is better than either the 2015 Maria Teresa or 2015 Vinha da Ponte separately. All three have wonderful structure and fine depth. The Maria Teresa has its typical sexy and lively personality, while the Ponte broods, showing off great depth and power. The difference with Honore is nuance- this is far more complex, the two vineyards creating a different flavor profile and different personality. The big sexy fruit of the Maria Teresa is cut by the Ponte and becomes more plum-like. The wine becomes a bit more stern too, while still seeming far more expressive than the Ponte by itself. In sum, this seems pretty special.From magnum, it should be a long-term wine, perhaps longer than anticipated. With double decanting for some six hours, this drank surprisingly well when I saw it, but it otherwise needs a few years in the cellar. The tannins are very well managed, but there is plenty of power here. Then, factor in the magnum format. Given the cost and rarity, I wouldn't open it before 2025, when it might show better development. (From magnum, it might also be evolving at a snail's pace.) Overall, it is pretty brilliant. It will be fascinating to see how it develops.

This rare bottling blends the quinta's two top vineyards: Vinha Maria Teresa and Vinha de Ponte. Made to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the estate, it is a seriously rich, impressive wine. It brings out the great concentration of the old vines in the two vineyards and obviously demands considerable aging. Its rich tannins and powerful black fruits have many years ahead of them.

A flashy red, with impressive complexity, showcasing raspberry reduction and steeped cherry flavors, infused with anise, milk chocolate and cedar accents. Undertones of violet, baking spice and olive are encased by full velvety tannins on the long, echoing finish. Generous but elegant.