For The Love Of Port

Best Portuguese Table Wine in 1st Half of 2012 ... I am deciding between two, so far. What about you?

2004 Niepoort Robustus. What a monster wine!
Runner up is the 2002 Niepoort Charme

David Spriggs wrote:2004 Niepoort Robustus. What a monster wine!
Runner up is the 2002 Niepoort Charme

Tough call but same here.

Tied with the 2002 Charme was a stunningly good 1997 Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz and 2006 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa**. And right behind was a 2004 Casa Ferreirenha Barca Velha.

** For those that think all 2006 Douro wines aren't that good need to be served this blind to change their minds. As it was to me and was amazing, I was way off in my guess as to what it was.

If you are refërrring to a Douro red tasted for the first tme during 1st half 2012, I have two:
2009 Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas, made by Wine & Soul, just a drops a head of
2009 Quinta do Crasto Toriga Nacional

As for value for money, the 2009 Quinta do Crasto Reserva is difficult to beat.

Rune EG wrote:
As for value for money, the 2009 Quinta do Crasto Reserva is difficult to beat.

Very true indeed!

Rune EG wrote:As for value for money, the 2009 Quinta do Crasto Reserva is difficult to beat.

I totally agree. I buy it "blind" every year.

2002 Niepoort Charme was tied by the phenomenal 1997 Quinta do Portal Tinta Roriz which we had back in April. Both are truly amazing DOC wines that are presently drinking at peak performance.

My next two favorites in order: the 2004 Niepoort Robustus and the 2003 Quinta do Crasto Maria Teresa ... both beautiful wines that need far more time.

2010 Vallado - Touriga Nacional
------- because that was a bbl sample, I'll add my #2, which is a finished wine:

2007 Tedo - Grande Reserva Savedra

The 2007 Tedo Sevedra Grand Reserva is a very fine wine for sure.