June 22,2019
Best of portugal!!!
1. 2014 Luis Seabra Vinhos Xisto Ilimitado Douro
Grown on schist up to 2,000ft., this wine casts a bright ruby is the bowl followed by dusty Anjou rouge-like aromas of bitter cherries, cassis, tar, & smoky schistose minerals. The wine is light-as-a-feather on the palate, yet packs a mouthful of saturated currant, cherry, & cranberry fruit accented by fine food-friendly tannins & hints of dried herbs, licorice, & Ceylon black tea. Zesty, refreshing, yet well structured & full of flavor, it finishes with a persistent lashing of dusty schistose minerals (hence the name). Liner & Elsen
2. 2015 Quinta do Crasto Douro Red Reserva Old Vines
Deep ruby in colour. The nose shows a particular complexity, with notes of gum cistus and fresh spice, very well integrated with exuberant aromas of wild fruits. Elegant on the palate, rapidly evolving into a wine of excellent volume and a compact structure made of fresh, velvety-textured
tannins. The finish is lingering and balanced. Winery
3. 2014 Quinta do Passadouro Passa Douro
A right, floral red, this wine buzzes with peppery spice, its tart blueberry fruit providing a counterpoint to the structure, making the wine feel gentle, touched with just enough sweetness to give it a generous, friendly grace. Wine & Spirits
4. 2015 Quinta de Chocapalha CH by Chocapalha Vinho Regional Lisboa “...aged for 22 months in 30% new French oak. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Yum. That scientific term will be most people's reaction. Deep, powerful and chock-full of flavor, this is pretty delicious as well as beautifully structured. Aromatically intense too, this just needs a little time... You could drink it now, but it will acquire more finesse with a couple of years in the cellar.” WA 94
5. 2014 Conceito Contraste Tinto Red Wine Duoro – blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz
It is actually impressive in structure, showing fine grip on the finish and a bright feel. The mid-palate has respectable depth, too. What it seems to lack, at least now, is the typical flavor and vivid fruit that the bottling often has. Perhaps it will open more. WA 89
6. 2015 Conceito Contraste Vinho Tinto Red Wine Duoro
I've seen few vintages with such vivid and flavorful fruit, while still perfectly supported by freshness. They tend to have a certain silky texture, too. That describes this perfectly. It is very elegantly styled but wonderfully delicious. That is always in a dry, clean way, not ever a bit jammy but lifted and lively. At the price point, it's hard to go wrong here. WA 90
7. 2011 Falorca Touriga Nacional Dao
This wine is a blend of Touriga grapes from three plots. It was aged in new French oak for 18 months. The combination of power, finesse & seduction here make this more than a little enticing. The crisp, flavorful finish, balance & good structure will support this for a couple of decades in all likelihood. It finishes with controlled power & persistent flavor. That may in fact be a bit lusher. This has a bit more lift, focus & penetration, granting that they are not now side-by-side. WA 95
8. 2011 Falorca Lagar Reserva Dao
This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro & Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in new French oak. On opening, this didn't seem anywhere near as silky as the Touriga Nacional. On the second day, if anything, it was more so, very Burgundian & very graceful, but also more powerful, with a bit more astringency on the finish. There are expressive fruit flavors around the edges, but, as with the Touriga, this is unevolved & needs time despite its late release. WA 95