What Portuguese wines have you opened this week

[Eric Menchen]

2016 Luis Pato Vinho Regional Beiras Vinhas Velhas
At $26, nice QPR in my book

[Eric Ifune]

2011 Chocopalha Vinha Mae. In an awkward stage right now. Not as bright fruity, but hasn't gone tertiary yet.

[Eric Ifune]

2011 Crasto Old Vines Reserva.

[Eric Menchen]

2011 Herdade do Mouchão Vinho Regional Alentejano Tonel 3-4
Opened this past weekend, this initially presented an aroma that made me think of pepperoni, more meaty than spicy. This toned down with some time in the glass, but it remained somewhat meaty and I found this distracting. I've had this label a few times and been impressed, but this particular bottle, while tasty, was disappointing to me given the price.

A few weeks ago I found and opened this Reynolds Wine Growers Reserva 2018, Julian Reynolds, at my parents house. It was tasty and I suspect a better QPR than the above, but I can't say for sure since I don't know the price paid.

Reynolds_20241101_233609794.jpg (101.94 KiB) Viewed 6316 times

Anyone know anything about this? I understand that the Reynolds family founded Mouchão, and the family still runs it. But who is Julian Reynolds and what is the connection of Reynolds Wine Growers, if any? Is this just another label, or a spin-off, or split-off ...?

[Eric Ifune]

Not the Reynolds of Mouchao. I believe they are distant cousins.

[Eric Menchen]

Not the Reynolds of Mouchao. I believe they are distant cousins.

Thanks Eric!

[Roy Hersh]

Not that distant actually. I've been with both sides of the family in 2023. They keep in touch with one another.

[Roy Hersh]

I had a few nice bottles last week with meals with friends:

2023 Quinta dos Varais Branco which was a lovely Douro white with class and showed really well already.

2011 Quinta da Leda is rocking right now. I had three bottles of 2019 Leda a few weeks ago, a glass from each and it will be a future rock star too, but this 2011 is in a very different place and the 8 years of extra bottle age are unquestionably advantageous. The 2019 needed a couple of hours of decanting and still could have used more. the 2011 only had one hour before bringing it to a restaurant and drinking it about 90 minutes later. Blew me away. A truly decadent Leda that is just starting to purr.

2017 Anselmo Mendes - Parcela Unica in Magnum- even with some bottle age, it wasn't enough. What a crazy bottle and my guests were blown away.

2015 Quinta da Falorca was also in magnum and fortunately had 3 hours in decanter and at 9 years young, should have held off a few more years, but I needed a great Dao red for this dinner with friends. They loved this one too. I only have a few left and need to start opening my 2011 mags soon.

[Claus P]

I had a few nice bottles last week with meals with friends:

2023 Quinta dos Varais Branco which was a lovely Douro white with class and showed really well already.

2011 Quinta da Leda is rocking right now. I had three bottles of 2019 Leda a few weeks ago, a glass from each and it will be a future rock star too, but this 2011 is in a very different place and the 8 years of extra bottle age are unquestionably advantageous. The 2019 needed a couple of hours of decanting and still could have used more. the 2011 only had one hour before bringing it to a restaurant and drinking it about 90 minutes later. Blew me away. A truly decadent Leda that is just starting to purr.

2017 Anselmo Mendes - Parcela Unica in Magnum- even with some bottle age, it wasn't enough. What a crazy bottle and my guests were blown away.

2015 Quinta da Falorca was also in magnum and fortunately had 3 hours in decanter and at 9 years young, should have held off a few more years, but I needed a great Dao red for this dinner with friends. They loved this one too. I only have a few left and need to start opening my 2011 mags soon.

Sounds like a nice couple of meals
Have you had the Leda '15, I can see my local pusher has it for an ok price?

[Randy Katz]

2011 Crasto Old Vines Reserva.

How was it drinking?

[Eric Ifune]

Well. But I'd personally give it another couple of years.

[Moses Botbol]

Last night was a 2007 Broadbent Douro Reserve. Still hanging in there! The night before we had 2003 Ramo Pinto Duas Quinta Reserva which had its best days 5-7 years ago. I thought their Reserva wines would hold up longer, but I guess not. They RP's are 10 year wines in general; not 20

[Andy Velebil]

2003 Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte. Fully mature and teetering on the edge of a slow downhill slide, I wouldn't hold too much longer.

[Moses Botbol]

2008 Niepoort Charme last night. What a wild wine! Doesn't remind me of any other Douro.

[Andy Velebil]

Last night was a 2007 Broadbent Douro Reserve. Still hanging in there! The night before we had 2003 Ramo Pinto Duas Quinta Reserva which had its best days 5-7 years ago. I thought their Reserva wines would hold up longer, but I guess not. They RP's are 10 year wines in general; not 20

Like some other regions, I’m not entirely impressed by most 2003 Douro wines 21
years on.

[Frederick Blais]

I did open a few nice ones from my cellar during the holidays... quick notes

Niepoort Redoma Reserva Branco was still super fresh!
Niepoort Batuta 2009 starting its plateau, beautiful deep and balanced.
Niepoort Charme 2009 is fully matured, beautiful palate, altough the nose was a bit odd with buttery, caramel aromas.
Niepoort Ultreia 2010 I did not care for it. Bad phase, bad bottle, dead? I did not care for it, I've rarely encountered a wine so shut. Nice structure and feel but no aromas and flavours at all...
Niepoort Poerinho 2012 Fully mature, secondary flavours are taking over, complex and fresh, real pleasure for the price!
Quinta do Vale Meao 2002 WOW!!!! This is a real sleeper! It is still looking so young for its age, no trace of evolution. All my friends thought it was a Bordeaux 1st growth. Super complex wine, worth seeking. I still have 2 more bottles, very happy me :)

[Eric Menchen]

2007 Niepoort Redoma Douro

[Moses Botbol]

Filipa Pato & William Wouters - 2015 Post-Quercus Baga Tinto

Really fun bottle of wine with a wildness to it.

[Eric Ifune]

2013 Luis Pato Vinha Pan. Very much like an excellent aged Bordeaux.

[Andy Velebil]

2005 Niepoort Robustus was very good.