Portugal is best known for its Port wines but there is a whole world of wine beyond the famous fortified libation. Portugal has many well made decently priced wines, most often with characteristics you won’t find anywhere else – a lot of this has to do with the use of grapes that are indigenous to Portugal and not grown in quantity anywhere else. Portuguese reds range from rustic table wine with lots of character to highly refined masterpieces; there’s something for every budget and taste.
Here are my tasting notes and commentary on a few Portuguese reds I’ve had lately:
2000 Tinto - Quinta de la Rosa
This wine comes from Northern Portugal’s Douro region which is the same region that Port wine comes from. This well extracted red has black plum skins, raspberry and cherry with some light cedar like woody notes characteristic of a lot of Portuguese reds. Adding to the complexity are hints of almond and maybe rosemary. Smooth and polished yet it still has a bit of that rustic character I’ve grown to love. approx. $19 US (this wine was bought in the USA) E-VG
2001 – The next years vintage was not as good (2000 was a really good vintage for the region). A bit of toasty oak as well as red currants and raspberry. There is some plum and spice, but nothing particularly distinctive. Good acidity with pomegranate lingering on the finish. Good, but not what I look for in a Douro wine. $? G-VG
2003 Touriga Nacional – Casa Santos Lima
This wine comes form the Estremadura region and utilizes what is probably the most well know Portuguese grape. Touriga Nacional is also the main variety used in making Port wine. Ripe blackberry and some strawberry with cedar and sandalwood characterize this wine's first impression, but with breathing I noticed a strong lemon iced tea character develop which was interesting. There is a clean minerality about it, maybe the clay/limestone soils the grapes grew in has something to do with this. It’s not exactly what I expect from a Touriga in terms of structure or fruit, but still nice. $18.95 VG-G
2002 ‘Duque de Viseau’ Tinto – Vinhos Sogrape
This wine is a product of the Dão region which is also in Northern Portugal. It has a rounded easy drinking character with light oak, red plum and raspberry; fruit is upfront with woody accents. It is definitely very gulpable due to a little residual sugar and soft tannins. The only problem I’ve had is that consistency has varied from bottle to bottle; one was VG, another was VG-G, and another was corked. At its ideal it is a great value coming in at $12.85, another bonus is that it is available as a Vintages Essential so finding a bottle should not be difficult. This wine is aimed at more New World palates.
2001 ‘Porca De Murça’ Reserva Tinto – Real Companhia Velha
This Douro red was from a recent Vintages release. I think this wine has finesse with its clean mineral backdrop and notes of roasted coffee/cocoa, fennel, pomegranate and plums. I enjoy it the more I drink it. It has excellent length and mouthfeel. 90 from Wine & Spirits (I agree). $17.95 E-VG
2004 ‘Palha-canas’ – Casa Santos Lima
From the same region and winery as the second review above this wine is unmistakably Portuguese. There is a funky fruity tar smell that I associate with the Periquita grape (also known as Castelão Frances) that was used in this blend, however this aroma does dissipate with breathing giving way to plum and raspberry with a good dash of pepper/spice. Maybe some prune and black olive in there too. $13.95 VG-G
(Note: I have never smelled that Periquita tar smell anywhere else. I have had wines from Italy (Amarone and Barolo) that have a tar like aroma, but the tar doesn’t have that fruity funk -kind of like cider apples- that Periquita does.)
All of the Ontario bought wines above are from Vinatages. Some Portuguese wines on general list at the LCBO worth trying are Periquita – Jose Maria Da Fonseca ($9.20) and Tinto Da Anfora – J.P. Vinhos ($12.85).
I will post more tasting notes on Portuguese reds in the future as well as on Vinho Verde (Portugal’s trademark white wine appellation).
Labels: Portugal
<< Home