TN: 2000 Quinta da Aveleda Charamba Douro Red

[Roy Hersh]

I opened a bottle of the 2000 Aveleda Charamba a couple of nights ago as I came across it buried in my cellar. How the heck I never found this before is beyond me. This is a very entry level DOC Douro wine which is produced in significant quantities from all of the big 5 grapes, except Tinto Cao. It was more than fully mature and for my tastes over the hill. I would imagine I've held it since release, but if anyone has had any older or mature bottles of Charamba that they've enjoyed, please let me know. They are really best consumed 3-5 years after harvest. There was still fruit left, but more in the black olive, leather, cedar and under-ripe black cherry profile. I would not recommend leaving bottles this long unless they've changed their methods or the cuvee itself. 78 points - 11/1/08

[Frederick Blais]

This is a wine to be drunk young and I don't think they will change anything to make it age :) A lot of my friends are buying this when they come for dinner at my home, it is drinkable I would say.

[Moses Botbol]

I was buying magnums of Charamba 2000 two summers ago and thought they were a good "table wine". At $11.00 a magnum, what do you want? Charamba is not as common around Boston, as it is in SE Mass. Fill the fridge with Mag's of Aveleda's Charamba & Vinho Verde, you'll look like a real greenhorn from New Bedford!

[Roy Hersh]

But you can't beat the scallops!