There are a few places in the world where I am almost guaranteed to find a great value in wine. Spain and Portugal are in my top two. It never ceases to amaze me that such great wines can come at incredible prices from across the pond. This month’s pick is from Portugal. Portuguese wines are tough, because so many people are not familiar with the grape varietals used to make the wines. To keep it simple, the wines are great even if you don’t know the grapes they are made from. I think the most familiar grape varietal in Portugal is Tempranillo. The problem for the consumer is they don’t refer to it by that name. They call it Aragonez and Tinto Roriz… More confusion However, for thirteen bucks, this wine punches way over its’ weight class.
This wine comes from the Douro in northern Portugal where they are mostly known for their Port production. Today however, they are making a huge footprint in quality red wine production. The grapes used in this wine are Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barocca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinto Cao and Touriga Franca. Researching these grapes would be a great homework project for those who would like to geek out a bit. However, whatever grapes they use, the wine speaks for itself.
Brooding aromas of blackberries and boysenberries with hints of dark flowers and black plums. Blackberry, boysenberry and black plum notes come through on the palate, supported by structured, approachable tannins and balanced acidity. The fruit notes expand on the mid-palate into the lingering finish where blueberry notes sneak in. This baby is well-built and a “10′ in the delicious category. Very juicy and smooth in the mouth. A real crowd pleaser and great for a conversation around the table. (B/B+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
