This was my first time attending this annual tasting of Portuguese wine producers and distributors. The 32nd floor of the St. Francis Hotel is always a beautiful setting for these kinds of events, with incredible views of the City and Bay. I got started tasting at 2 pm, when the event opened for media and the trade, and was still at it until about 6:15 (the general public was admitted at 5 pm, but nearly half of the producers/distributors were gone by then, and many of those still there had run out of much of what they were pouring).
What's most challenging about a tasting like this is the diversity of the wines--from light Vinho Verdes to young vintage Ports, and everything in between. It would have been ideal at a tasting like this to taste the whites, or at least all the dry wines, first, and then go back for the Ports (and Madeiras) from the same producers, but I could see that some of the tables had a limited quantity of bottles, so I toughed it out and tasted straight through from light & dry to heavy & fortified and back again at each table. It was a good thing I did, though, because producers were running out of things I wanted to taste mid-way through the trade tasting portion, and one of my priority tables to get to, the Fonseca table, was all poured out by the time I got there. Nonetheless, that's a tough way to taste, and not one I recommend to someone who's not a veteran of these kinds of tastings.
The tasting confirmed for me that there are lots of terrific values to be had in dry wines from Portugal, with retail prices as low as $5 and $6 for some fairly well made and adequate drinkers. One needs to be pretty selective, though, to find dry Portuguese wines that offer interest and complexity, beyond just good value. I managed to find several out of the 168 wines I tasted on this afternoon.
The best Vinho Verde I tasted was the 2009 Adega Coop. de Ponte de Lima. The best other dry whites, that I rated at least 90 pts., were the '08 Cartuxa Foral de Evora and the '07 Alves de Sousa Branco da Gaivosa Reserva.
The best dry reds for me at this tasting, that I rated 90 pts. or higher, were:
'07 Cartuxa Evora
'07 Alves de Sousa Douro Abandonado
'05 Alves de Sousa Douro
'07 Alves de Sousa Vinha de Lordelo
'05 Vidigal Brutalis
'03 CARMIM Reguengos Garrafeira dos Socios
'06 Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande
'08 Herdade dos Grous 23 Barricas
'08 Herdade dos Grous Moon Harvested
I found a lot of appealing Ports of all varieties, and some at good price points. The '07 vintage Ports I tasted reinforced my experience to date that '07 is a complex and impressive vintage for a lot of Port producers. As I said, I missed the Fonseca table, but did get to virtually all the other Port producers (and one Madeira producer, Justino's), and the best of the Ports I tasted, rating 91 points or higher, were the following:
NV Alves de Sousa Caldas Porto Fine White
NV Alves de Sousa 10 Years Old
2004 Alves de Sousa LBV
NV J.W. Burmester 10 Year Old Tawny
1989 J.W. Burmester Colheita (93 pts.)
2000 Cálem Vintage
2007 Ferreira Vintage
1989 Kopke Colheita
NV Krohn 30 Years Old
1968 Krohn Colheita (92+ pts.)
2007 Quinta do Pégo
NV Sandeman 20 Years Old Tawny
NV Sandeman 30 Years Old Tawny
2007 Sandeman Vintage (94 pts. -- WOTD)
I am a fan of Portuguese indigenous varietals, especially the Touriga Nacional and the other traditional Port grapes, as well as Alvarinho on the white side, so it was educational to try so many different producers' versions of varietal wines from these grapes. I was also pleased that the Portuguese varietals dominated the tasting. Yes, there were some international varietals on hand--primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah--but they represented less than 15% of what was poured. I also learned from a couple of producers that Alicante Bouschet varietal bottlings have a growing following in Portugal itself, so we're likely to see increasing numbers of those.
This tasting helped get my tasting chops ready for Roy's Fortification Tour next month, where I expect to really get a sense of the top Portuguese dry wine producers, as well as tasting a lot of amazing Ports.
Adega Cartuxa - Fundação Eugénio de Almeida
- 2008 Cartuxa Évora Foral de Évora - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Évora
Tart citrus, lime nose; tart citrus, lime palate; medium finish (90 pts.) - 2008 Adega da Cartuxa Vinho Regional Alentejano E.A - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Berry, camphor nose; berry, camphor palate; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Castelao and Alicante Bouschet) (88 pts.) - 2007 Adega da Cartuxa Évora - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Évora
Oak, berry nose; berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Alfrocheiro and Trincadeira) (90 pts.) - 2006 Fundação Eugénio de Almeida Évora Foral de Évora - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Évora
Berry, cherry, oak nose; berry, cherry palate with depth; medium-plus finish (89 pts.) - 2006 Fundação Eugénio de Almeida Évora Cartuxa Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Évora
Berry, oak nose; berry, mulberry, plum palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Trincadeira, Aragonez, Alfrocheiro and Alicante Bouschet) (91 pts.) - 2009 Fundação Eugénio de Almeida Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Oak, citrus nose; clean, citrus palate; medium finish (blend of Roupeiro, Antao Vez and Perrum) (88 pts.)
- 2007 Domingos Alves de Sousa Douro Abandonado Quinta da Gaivosa - Portugal, Douro
Bright red plum, red currant nose; tasty, red currant, plum, integrated oak palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (blend of Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz) (91 pts.) - 2005 Domingos Alves de Sousa Douro Reserva Pessoal Quinta da Gaivosa - Portugal, Douro
Nice, ripe tangerine, melon, floral nose; delicate, tart melon, lemon palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (blend of Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Viosinho and other traditional Douro varietals) (88 pts.) - 2005 Domingos Alves de Sousa Douro Reserva Pessoal - Portugal, Douro
Tart berry nose; tart berry, black fruit palate with soft tannins; medium finish (blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cao, Touriga Nacional) (87 pts.) - 2007 Domingos Alves de Sousa Douro Branco da Gaivosa Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Medium golden color; nice oxidative, almond, honey nose; tasty, lightly oxidative, lemon, almond palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (wine is made in an oxidative style; blend of Malvasia Fina, Gouveio and Arinto) (90 pts.) - N.V. Alves de Sousa Caldas Porto Fine White - Portugal
Lovely medium gold color; nice floral, hazelnut, savory honey nose; apricot, sage honey, hazelnut palate; long finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.) - N.V. Domingos Alves de Sousa Porto 10 Years Old Quinta da Gaivosa - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Berry, black plum nose; complex, rich, coffee, chocolate, fig, black fruit palate; long finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.) - 2004 Domingos Alves de Sousa Porto Late Bottled Vintage Quinta da Gaivosa - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nice berry, baked berry, fig nose; tasty, fig, dried berry, baked berry palate with depth; long finish (92 pts.) - 2005 Domingos Alves de Sousa Douro Quinta da Gaivosa - Portugal, Douro
Ripe berry, herbal, plum nose; tart berry, herbal, tart mulberry palate with good balance; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.) - 2007 Domingos Alves de Sousa Douro Quinta da Gaivosa Vinha de Lordelo - Portugal, Douro
Tart berry, tart red plum nose; young, tart berry, tart red currant palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (blend of Sousao, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Nacional and others) (90 pts.) - 2007 Alves de Sousa Douro Vale da Raposa Touriga Nacional - Portugal, Douro
Ripe berry, boysenberry, oak nose; tart berry, mineral, cassis palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2005 Barros Porto LBV - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Berry, herbal nose; rich, berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.) - N.V. Barros Porto 20 Year Old - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nutshell, hazelnut nose; nutshell, hazelnut, espresso palate; long finish (89 pts.) - 1994 Barros Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nice hazelnut, light coffee nose; hazelnut, light coffee, caramel palate; long finish (90 pts.) - 1975 Barros Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nutshell, hazelnut nose; nutshell, hazelnut, caramel palate; long finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Berço do Infante Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Tart berry nose; tart black fruit, herbaceous palate; medium finish (blend of Aragones and Castelao) (84 pts.)
- N.V. J.W. Burmester Porto 10 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Refined, hazelnut, coffee nose; hazelnut, coffee, caramel palate; long finish (91 pts.) - 1989 J.W. Burmester Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Coffee, hazelnut nose; rich but refined, coffee, hazelnut, caramel palate; long finish (93 pts.) - 2009 J.W. Burmester Porto White Porto - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Light citrus nose; tart citrus palate; medium finish (blend of Gouveio, Rabigato, Viozinho) (87 pts.) - 2007 J.W. Burmester Douro Casa Burmester - Portugal, Douro
Mulberry, black fruit, oak nose; oak, mulberry, black fruit palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz) (88 pts.) - 2005 J.W. Burmester Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep black fruit, berry, fig nose; fig, berry, black fruit palate; long finish (89 pts.) - N.V. J.W. Burmester Porto Jockey Club Reserve Porto - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Coffee, nutshell nose; coffee, nutshell, mellow palate; long finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- N.V. Cálem Porto Special Reserve - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Coffee, nutty nose; coffee, nutty palate; long finish (7 years in cask) (90 pts.) - 2000 Cálem Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Light caramel nose; tasty caramel palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish (89 pts.) - 2000 Cálem Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep black plum, orange nose; tasty, deep black plum, orange palate; long finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2008 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Oak nose; oak, lemon, citrus palate; medium finish (blend of Codega, Rabigato and Viuzinho) (87 pts.) - 2008 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro - Portugal, Douro
Lemon nose; tart citrus, grapefruit palate; medium finish 86+ pts. (blend of Codega, Rabigato and Viuzinho) (86 pts.) - 2007 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro - Portugal, Douro
Berry, baked berry nose; berry, baked berry palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca) (87 pts.) - 2007 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Berry, plum nose; berry, plum, oak palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca) (89 pts.) - 2008 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro - Portugal, Douro
Strawberry, tart red fruit nose; strawberry, tart red fruit palate; medium finish (Touriga Nacional) (88 pts.) - 2007 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro Vinho Tinto Quinta do Côa - Portugal, Douro
Tart berry nose; tart berry palate; medium finish (87 pts.) - 2007 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro Vinho Tinto Reserva Quinta do Côa - Portugal, Douro
Lovely berry nose; berry, plum palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 CARMIM Alicante Bouschet Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Herbal, tart black fruit nose; herbal, tart black fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.) - 2008 CARMIM Aragonês Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Unusual herbal, crushed red berry nose; intriguing tart red berry, herbal palate; medium finish (88 pts.) - 2003 CARMIM Reguengos Garrafeira dos Sócios - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Reguengos
Nice berry, caramel, oak nose; berry, caramel, mulberry palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Trincadeira, Aragones and Castelao) (90 pts.) - 2007 CARMIM Syrah Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Deep plum, oak nose; deep plum, oak palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2006 Casa Antiga Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart berry nose; tart berry, black fruit palate; medium finish 85+ pts. (blend of Aragones, Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro and Alicante Bouschet) (85 pts.)
- 2007 Casa de Santar Dão - Portugal, Beiras, Dão
Fig, berry nose; fig, berry palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz) (84 pts.) - 2006 Casa de Santar Dão Reserva - Portugal, Beiras, Dão
Tart berry, plum nose; spicy berry, plum palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz) (87 pts.)
- 2007 Castelo do Sulco Vinho Regional Estremadura Reserva - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Rich plum, tart red fruit, herbal nose; tight, tart red fruit, berry palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Tinta Roriz) (88 pts.) - 2007 Castelo do Sulco Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Rich tart berry, crushed wild berry, herbal, anise nose; tart red berry, herbal palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca) (89 pts.)
- 2007 Caves Bonifácio Vinho Regional Estremadura Alicante Bouschet + Aragonez - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Deep tart berry nose; tart berry, pepper palate; medium finish (86 pts.) - 2008 Caves Bonifácio Alicante Bouschet Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Nice plum, berry, oak nose; plum, berry, oak, green peppercorn palate; medium finish (87 pts.) - 2007 Caves Bonifácio Aragonez Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Roasted red berry, tart berry nose; tasty, berry palate; medium finish (88 pts.) - 2007 Caves Bonifácio Cabernet Sauvignon Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Berry nose; black fruit, berry palate with low acidity; medium finish (85 pts.) - 2007 Caves Bonifácio Vinho Regional Estremadura Encosta da Tapada - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Spicy black fruit, berry nose; spicy black fruit, berry palate; medium finish (blend of Castelao, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah) (88 pts.) - 2008 Caves Bonifácio Torres Vedras Patrimonio - Portugal, Estremadura, Torres Vedras
Tart plum, berry nose; tart plum, berry, herbaceous palate; medium finish (blend of Aragonez, Castelao and Alicante Bouschet) (86 pts.)
- 2005 Vidigal Vinho Regional Estremadura Brutalis - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Spicy berry, pepper nose; tasty, savory, pepper, spicy berry palate; medium-plus finish (50% Alicante Bouschet, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon) (90 pts.) - 2008 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura Casa do Conégo - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Deep spicy black fruit and smoke nose; deep spicy black fruit and smoke palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (70% Tinta Roriz, 20% Castelao, 10% Tinta Miuda) (88 pts.) - 2007 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura Reserva dos Amigos - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Black fruit, licorice nose; tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish (70% Tinta Roriz, 20% Castelao, 10% Tinta Miuda) (88 pts.) - 2007 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura Reserva dos Amigos Seleção Especial - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Roast coffee, herbaceous, Bordeaux-like nose; tasty, roast coffee, herbaceous, plum palate; medium-plus finish (40% Aragonez, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot) (89 pts.) - 2007 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura "black & black" label - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Tart black fruit nose; tart black fruit, herbal palate; medium finish (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aragonez, 20% Syrah) (87 pts.) - 2009 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Verde Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Lime nose; tart lime, citrus palate; short finish (50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura, 10% Arinto) (86 pts.) - 2005 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura V.Q.R.P.D. - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Tart plum, berry nose; tart plum, berry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (60% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Amarela) (88 pts.) - 2007 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura Espumante - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Floral, tart peach nose; tasty, tart peach, lime palate; medium finish (50% Fernao Pires, 50% Arinto) (88 pts.) - 2008 Caves Vidigal S.A. Vinho Regional Estremadura Reserva - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Deep black fruit, tar nose; tight, tasty, deep black fruit, tar palate; medium finish (70% Tinta Roriz, 20% Castelao, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) (89 pts.)
- 2006 Conde de Palma Alentejo - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Fig, chocolate nose; fig, tart berry palate; medium finish (blend of Trincadeira, Aragones and Alicante Bouschet) (86 pts.)
- 2008 Castello D'Alba Douro Colheita - Portugal, Douro
Berry, baked berry nose; berry, baked berry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.) - 2007 Castello D'Alba Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Baked berry, vanilla nose; baked berry, vanilla palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
- 2005 Dona Maria Vinho Regional Alentejano Amantis - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Plum, oak nose; plum, oak, herbaceous palate; medium finish (blend of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon) (84 pts.) - 2008 Dona Maria Vinho Regional Alentejano Amantis - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Oak nose; oak, lemon palate; medium finish (84 pts.) - 2005 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Oak, berry nose; oak, berry, black fruit palate; medium finish (blend of Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Petit Verdot) (86 pts.) - 2006 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Berry, plum nose; berry, plum palate; medium finish (blend of Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Petit Verdot) (86 pts.) - 2006 Dona Maria Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Berry, red fruit nose; berry, red fruit, oak palate; medium finish (87 pts.) - 2008 Dona Maria Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Herbal, tart red fruit nose; herbal, tart red fruit palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
- 2007 Dow Douro Vale do Bomfim - Portugal, Douro
Tart berry, herbal nose; tart berry, herbal palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
- N.V. Ferreira Porto Dona Antónia Reserva - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Fig nose; tasty fig, hazelnut palate; long finish (89 pts.) - 2000 Ferreira Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Berry, baked berry nose; rich berry, baked berry palate; long finish (90 pts.) - N.V. Ferreira Porto Tawny 10 Year Quinta do Porto - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Praline, sweet coffee nose; coffee, hazelnut palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.) - 2007 Ferreira Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep berry, chocolate nose; deep berry, chocolate palate; long finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Esteva - Portugal, Douro
Tart plum nose; tart plum, herbal palate; medium finish (blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca) (88 pts.) - 2006 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Vinha Grande - Portugal, Douro
Mulberry, berry nose; tasty, soft, mulberry, berry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz) (90 pts.)
- 2008 Fonte da Serrana Alentejo - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Berry, herbal nose; berry, herbal palate; short-medium finish (25% Aragonez, 25% Trinacadeira, 25% Alicante Bouschet, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon) (86 pts.)
- N.V. Gilberts Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
From 375 ml - almond, hazelnut nose; white chocolate, orange liqueur palate; long finish (blend of Malvasia, Viozinho, Rabigato, Fernao Pires) (89 pts.)
- 2008 Herdade dos Grous Vinho Regional Alentejano 23 Barricas - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Nice red fruit, French vanilla (oak) nose; tasty, vanilla, red fruit, cassis palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional; 12 mos. in French oak) (90 pts.) - 2008 Herdade dos Grous Vinho Regional Alentejano Moon Harvested - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Light berry nose; tart berry, black fruit palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (90 pts.) - 2008 Herdade dos Grous Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart cherry nose; tasty, tart cherry, cranberry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Syrah) (88 pts.) - 2009 Herdade dos Grous Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Fresh, white flower, floral nose; fresh, tart citrus palate; short-medium finish (blend of Antao Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro) (86 pts.) - 2008 Herdade dos Grous Vinho Regional Alentejano Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Oak, lemon cream nose; tasty, lemon cream, mineral palate; medium finish (blend of Antao Vaz, Verdelho and Viognier) (88 pts.) - 2009 Herdade da Comporta Antão Vaz Setúbal - Portugal, Terras do Sado, Setúbal
Tart citrus nose; tart citrus palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
- N.V. Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Full Rich 3 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
Nutshell, tart coffee nose; nutshell, tart coffee palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.) - 1997 Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Colheita Fine Rich - Portugal, Madeira
Hazelnut, coffee cream nose; rich, coffee cream, hazelnut, apricot palate; long finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.) - 1996 Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Colheita Fine Rich - Portugal, Madeira
Rich coffee cream, amaretto nose; rich coffee cream, amaretto, nutty palate; long finish 89+ pts. (best of the '96-'98 I tasted) (89 pts.) - 1998 Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Colheita Fine Rich - Portugal, Madeira
Coffee, caramel nose; deep, sweet coffee, caramel palate; long finish (89 pts.) - N.V. Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Rainwater 3 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
Caramel, maple syrup nose; tart caramel, lemon palate with good acidity; medium finish (86 pts.) - N.V. Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Reserve Fine Rich 10 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
Caramel, lemon nose; caramel, lemon, lemon cream palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.) - N.V. Justino Henriques Madeira Tinta Negra Mole Reserve Fine Rich 5 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
Light caramel nose; soft, hazelnut, caramel palate; medium-plus finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
- 2009 Kopke Douro Vinho Branco - Portugal, Douro
Tart citrus nose; tart citrus, grapefruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.) - 2008 Kopke Douro Vinho Tinto - Portugal, Douro
Red fruit nose; tart red fruit palate; short-medium finish (85 pts.) - N.V. Kopke Porto 10 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Coffee, caramel nose; coffee, caramel palate; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.) - 1989 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Hazelnut, coffee, caramel nose; rich, caramel, hazelnut, coffee palate; long finish (91 pts.)
- N.V. Krohn Porto 20 Year Old Porto - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nutshell, hazelnut nose; nutshell, hazelnut, coffee palate; long finish (90 pts.) - N.V. Krohn Porto 30 Years Old Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nice hazelnut nose; tasty, hazelnut, lemon palate; long finish (91 pts.) - 1964 Krohn Porto Colheita Branco - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nice spirity, tart peach nose; almond, nut shell palate; long finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.) - 1968 Krohn Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nut shell, hazelnut nose; refined, hazelnut, nut shell palate with depth; very long finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.) - 1998 Krohn Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Tart cherry, berry nose; berry, cherry, caramel, coffee palate; long finish (90 pts.) - 2004 Krohn Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Berry, black fruit nose; berry, black fruit, hazelnut palate with depth; long finish (88 pts.) - 2007 Krohn Porto Vintage Quinta do Retiro Novo - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Berry nose; rich, baked berry palate; long finish (89 pts.)
- 2009 Quinta da Lixa Espadeiro Vinho Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Tart citrus, green apple nose; tart citrus, green apple palate; short-medium finish (87 pts.) - 2009 Quinta da Lixa Alvarinho Vinho Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Citrus, lime nose; citrus, lime palate; short-medium finish (87 pts.) - 2009 Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Tart lime nose; tart lime palate; medium finish (42.5% Loureiro, 42.5% Trajafura, 15% Alvarinho) (87 pts.) - 2009 Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde Terras do Minho - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Lime, chalk nose; lime, chalk palate; medium finish (40% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura, 20% Arinto) (88 pts.) - 2009 Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde Vinha Real Branco - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Lime, citrus nose; lime, citrus, mineral palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (30% Loureiro, 30% Trajadura, 20% Arinto) (88 pts.)
- 2006 Montaria Vinho Regional Alentejano Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Rich plum, berry nose; tart black fruit, currant, charcoal palate; medium finish (87 pts.) - 2008 Montaria Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart red fruit, currant nose; tart red fruit palate; short finish (86 pts.)
- 2006 Monte da Cal Vinho Regional Alentejano Monte da Cal - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart berry nose; tart berry palate; medium finish (blend of Aragones, Alfrocheiro and Alicante Bouschet) (85 pts.) - 2007 Monte da Cal Vinho Regional Alentejano Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart berry nose; tart berry, tart plum palate; medium finish (blend of Aragones, Trincadeira, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet) (86 pts.)
- 2007 Monte da Ravasqueira Alentejo - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Berry, oak nose; berry, oak palate; medium finish (20% Syrah, 20% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Touriga Nacional, 15% Aragonez, 15% Trincadeira, 5% Touriga Franca, 5% Petit Verdot) (84 pts.) - 2008 Monte da Ravasqueira Alentejo - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Oak, berry nose; oak, berry palate; medium finish (20% Syrah, 20% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Touriga Nacional, 15% Aragonez, 15% Trincadeira, 5% Touriga Franca, 5% Petit Verdot) (83 pts.) - 2009 Monte da Ravasqueira Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart strawberry nose; tart strawberry, citrus palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (40% Aragonez, 30% Alfrocheiro, 30% Touriga Franca) (87 pts.) - 2009 Monte da Ravasqueira Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Apple, floral nose; apple, floral palate; medium finish (60% Alvarinho, 30% Viognier, 10% Arinto) (88 pts.) - 2008 Monte da Ravasqueira Vinho Regional Alentejano Prova - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Berry, plum nose; berry, plum palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (45% Aragonez, 40% Alfrocheiro, 5% Trincadeiro, 5% Touriga Franca, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) (87 pts.)
- 2008 Palestra Douro - Portugal, Douro
Tart plum nose; tart plum, herbaceous palate; short-medium finish (blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca) (84 pts.)
- 2009 Poças Douro Coroa D'ouro - Portugal, Douro
Oily, lime nose; lime, citrus palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (blend of Malvasia Fina, Codega, Rabigato, Viosinho, Moscatel) (88 pts.) - 2007 Poças Douro Coroa D'ouro - Portugal, Douro
Caramel, berry nose; soft red fruit, cherry palate; short-medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (86 pts.) - 2007 Poças Douro Coroa D'ouro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Caramel, berry, chocolate nose; tart berry, caramel palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (89 pts.) - N.V. Poças Porto Tawny 20 Year - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Hazelnut, coffee liqueur nose; rich coffee, hazelnut palate; long finish 90+ pts. (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (90 pts.) - 2003 Poças Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Raspberry, baked raspberry nose; raspberry, baked raspberry, cherry palate, sweet; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (88 pts.) - N.V. Poças Porto Ruby Special Reserve - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Nice berry, cherry nose; balanced, ripe cherry, baked cherry palate; long finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (90 pts.) - N.V. Poças Porto Special Reserve Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Coffee, molasses nose; coffee, molasses palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (90 pts.) - 2005 Poças Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Tart berry, fig, plum nose; ripe berry, fig palate; long finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (89 pts.) - 2007 Poças Porto Vintage Vale de Cavalos - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Berry, caramel nose; tart berry, caramel, tart cherry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (88 pts.) - N.V. Poças Porto Pink - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Ripe cherry, baked cherry, vanilla nose; ripe cherry, strawberry, vanilla palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao) (88 pts.)
- 2009 Adega Coop. de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde Branco Adamado - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Lime, citrus nose; lime, citrus, mineral palate with depth; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.) - 2009 Adega Coop. de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde Colheita Seleccionada - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Tart lime, white fruit nose; delicate, tart lime, chalk palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.) - 2009 Adega Coop. de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
Tart citrus nose; tart citrus, lime, grapefruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2007 Quinta das Tecedeiras Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Berry, plum nose; berry, plum, caramel palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cao, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Amarela) (86 pts.)
- 2007 Quinta do Encontro Bairrada - Portugal, Beiras, Bairrada
Berry, black fruit nose; berry, black fruit, oak palate; medium finish (blend of Merlot and Baga) (84 pts.)
- 2006 Quinta do Pégo Douro Grande Reserva - Portugal, Douro
Roasted berry nose; roasted berry, plum palate; medium finish (86 pts.) - 2005 Quinta do Pégo Porto LBV Unfiltered - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep berry, raspberry nose; deep berry, raspberry, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.) - 2000 Quinta do Pégo Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep berry, orange nose; deep berry, orange palate; long finish (90 pts.) - 2006 Quinta do Pégo Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep berry, black fruit, fig nose; deep berry black fruit, fig palate; long finish (89 pts.) - 2007 Quinta do Pégo Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Black fruit, tar nose; deep black fruit, tar, licorice palate; long finish (91 pts.)
- 2003 Quinta do Pinto Alenquer - Portugal, Estremadura, Alenquer
Berry, oak nose; berry, oak, currant palate; medium finish (86 pts.) - 2006 Quinta do Pinto Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Cream, nutty nose; cream, nutty palate; medium finish 86+ pts. (86 pts.) - 2004 Quinta do Pinto Alenquer Vinhas do Lasso - Portugal, Estremadura, Alenquer
Berry, plum nose; berry, plum palate; medium finish 86+ pts. (blend of Touriga Nacional, Merlot and Petit Verdot) (86 pts.)
- 2007 Quinta do Vesuvio Douro Pombal do Vesuvio - Portugal, Douro
Cherry, oak nose; tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Amarela) (87 pts.)
- 2008 Quinta dos Grilos Dão Vinho Tinto - Portugal, Beiras, Dão
Black fruit nose; tart black fruit palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz) (85 pts.)
- 2008 Reguengos de Monsaraz Vinho Regional Alentejano Tinto - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Deep berry, earthy nose; deep berry, earthy palate; medium finish (blend of Tricadeira, Aragones, Castelao) (86 pts.) - 2007 Reguengos de Monsaraz Vinho Regional Alentejano Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Deep black fruit, berry, espresso nose; deep black fruit, berry, espresso palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (50% 1 year in old barrels, 50% in stainless steel; blend of Trincadeira, Aragones, Alicante Bouschet, Tinta Caiada) (88 pts.) - 2008 Reguengos de Monsaraz Vinho Regional Alentejano - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Tart orange nose; nice, tart orange, chalk, citrus palate; short-medium finish (blend of Arinto, Perrum) (87 pts.)
- N.V. Sandeman Porto 10 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Caramel nose; tasty, light-medium bodied, caramel, lemon palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.) - N.V. Sandeman Porto 20 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Hazelnut, almond nose; tasty, hazelnut, almond palate; long finish (92 pts.) - N.V. Sandeman Porto 30 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Coffee, sherry, hazelnut nose; coffee, sherry, hazelnut palate; long finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.) - N.V. Sandeman Porto Founder's Reserve - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Cherry, baked cherry nose; cherry, baked cherry palate; medium-plus finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.) - 2004 Sandeman Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep berry nose; berry, mulberry, baked berry palate; long finish (89 pts.) - 2007 Sandeman Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep berry, black fruit, licorice, chocolate nose; deep berry, black fruit, licorice, chocolate palate with structure and depth; long finish (94 pts.)
- 2009 Casa Santos Lima Fernão Pires Douro Estremadura - Portugal, Douro
Tart citrus, green fruit nose; ripe lime, vanilla palate; short finish (87 pts.) - 2009 Casa Santos Lima Moscatel Douro Estremadura - Portugal, Douro
Lime, cream nose; oily textured, lime palate with medium acidity; medium finish (88 pts.) - 2007 Casa Santos Lima Pinot Noir - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Black cherry, oak nose; oak, tart cherry, berry palate; medium finish (83 pts.) - 2009 Casa Santos Lima Sauvignon Blanc Douro Estremadura - Portugal, Douro
Lemon grass, herbal, earthy nose; lemon grass, herbal, earthy palate; medium finish (86 pts.) - 2008 Casa Santos Lima Touriga Nacional Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Big, dried berry, black fruit nose; tart berry, herbal palate with firm tannins; medium finish (88 pts.) - 2008 Casa Santos Lima LX - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Nice berry, cassis nose; tasty, cassis, tart red fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish (blend of Castelao, Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon) (89 pts.) - 2006 Casa Santos Lima Vinho Regional Estremadura Palha Canas Reserva - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Berry, black fruit nose; tight, tart berry, black fruit palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Castelao and Camarate) (88 pts.) - 2008 Casa Santos Lima Alenquer Quinta das Amoras - Portugal, Estremadura, Alenquer
Nice oily, citrus oil nose; oily textured, tart citrus palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (blend of Arinto, Fernao Pires, Vital, Rabo de Ovelha and Chardonnay) (87 pts.) - 2009 Casa Santos Lima Alenquer Quinta das Amoras - Portugal, Estremadura, Alenquer
Cassis, cherry nose; tart cherry, cranberry palate; medium finish 85+ pts. (85 pts.) - 2008 Casa Santos Lima Alenquer Quinta das Amoras - Portugal, Estremadura, Alenquer
Tart berry, plum nose; tasty, tart berry, herbal palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (blend of Castelao, Camarate, Tinta Miuda, Touriga Nacional) (88 pts.) - 2008 Casa Santos Lima LAB - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Tart plum nose; tart plum palate; medium finish (blend of Castelao, Tinto Roriz, Syrah and Touriga Nacional) (86 pts.)
- 2008 Senhor de Alto Vinho Regional Estremadura - Portugal, Estremadura, Vinho Regional Estremadura
Berry, mulberry nose; tart berry palate; medium finish (blend of Castelao, Tinta Miuda and Alicante Bouschet) (88 pts.)
- 2007 Sogevinus Fine Wines Douro Veedha - Portugal, Douro
Nice berry, black fruit nose; berry, black fruit, mulberry palate; medium finish (blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz; 10 mos. in French oak) (89 pts.)
- 2009 Terras d'el Rei Alentejo - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Citrus nose; tart citrus palate; short finish 85+ pts. (blend of Rabo de Ovelha, Perrum, Siria) (85 pts.) - 2008 Terras d'el Rei Alentejo - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Oak, dark plum nose; simple, tart plum palate; medium finish 85+ pts. (blend of Trincadeira, Aragones, Moreto, Castelao) (85 pts.)
- N.V. Warre Porto Otima 10 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Apricot, nutty nose; nutty, caramel palate; long finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
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