For The Love Of Port

Since the 2007 Quinta do Vallado Douro wasn't cutting it, I opened this $8 Douro I found last week at a store not to far from me. It was cheap so I figured no-harm-no-foul if it wasn't all that great. Well I'll be darn, seems I stumbled upon a pretty darn nice bottle after all. The color shows no signs of age and is still a nice purple. The nose had some brett initially but it seems to have subsided a bit, or the red fruit is just becoming more expressive and balancing it out. The soft red fruit is almost immediately followed by a wall of searing acidity and dusty tannins. But the way these interweave is amazing, giving good structure as it dances it way across my tongue. The fruit on the finish lasts for a decent amount of time and after each sip I'm left wanting more. I must give credit where it's due, as the wine maker (Luis Soares Duarte) did a very nice job on this inexpensive Douro wine.
88 points.


This TN wouldn't be complete if I didn't quote part of the back label: "Serve it with....grilled loin of rabbit with smoked bacon." I did a double take when I read this!

And in case your wondering...made from Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca, grown in the Cima Corgo, 100% destemmed, vinificated and Malo in tank. Aged 12 months in tank and 5 months in French and American oak barrels. Bottled April 2006.

day 2 and this is still going strong. While this is probably at it's peak now, and will hold for another 1-2 years, I gotta say this is the best inexpensive Douro wine I've had in a long time. I need to head back to the store and pick some up for a delightful daily drinker. I must warn you, this is not a fruit forward wine, this is about as classic of a Douro wine as you can get. So if that's not to your preference this may not be up your alley. But if you're looking for that authentic Douro terroir, which I love, this is a good one to buy.

Wow, cool notes. What do you think of it compared to the Altano, which seems to get the lion's share of the QPR mentions in the Douro?

Brian C. wrote:Wow, cool notes. What do you think of it compared to the Altano, which seems to get the lion's share of the QPR mentions in the Douro?

This was a pretty big step up in quality from most Douro wines in the sub $10 category, the Altano included, and is more on par with the Altano Reserva (which is about twice the price and stylistically very different).

Andy,


Did you ever try the Gouvyas Vinhas Velhas, the top wine of Bago the Touriga?

I believe itºs Douroºs most underated wine....the 2005 is amazing!!!! Hope they will do it in 2007....

Pedro Guimaraes wrote:Andy,


Did you ever try the Gouvyas Vinhas Velhas, the top wine of Bago the Touriga?

I believe itºs Douroºs most underated wine....the 2005 is amazing!!!! Hope they will do it in 2007....

No, The Terroso is the only Bago wine I've seen here in the states, or at least near me. I'll have to keep my eye out for a bottle as I really like this one and am would very much like to try more of their wines.

Had another bottle of this last night and it was very consistent with the previous. A darn good value at the price (even though it had gone up to $10).