Douro wines on Wine-Spectator - [November 28, 2007]

[Mario Ferreira]

Wine Spectator magazine - November 28, 2007.

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Portugal
Douro

Top table wine producers in Portugal’s Douro Valley have recently begun releasing their 2005 bottlings. Despite extreme drought conditions during the winter, Douro vintners were able to make a number of flavorful and rich red bottlings. They were helped by moderate rainfall in early September that gave the thirsty wines some water just before harvest commenced. The highest-rated bottlings come from houses that make high-quality Vintage Ports as well, such as Niepoort and Crasto. (You’ll find the highest rated wines from these two producers among the Hot Wines, on page 4.)
—Kim Marcus

Quinta do Crasto
Touriga Nacional Douro 2005
94 points | $99 | 100 cases imported | Red
A vibrant expression of Touriga, with intense, well-sculpted flavors of red plum, kirsch, red cherry and mineral. The long finish features medium-grained tannins, with layers of cream, spice and chocolate. Tempting now. Best from 2009 through 2014.—K.M.

Lemos & Van Zeller
Douro Curriculum Vitae 2005
93 points | $100 | 75 cases imported | Red
Inky and rich, with a surplus of dark chocolate, blackberry and mocha flavors. Powerful but balanced. Has a long finish of French roast and mineral, with plenty of Asian spice in the mix. Drink now through 2014.—K.M.

Lemos & Van Zeller
Douro Van Zellers Red 2004
93 points | $25 | 150 cases imported | Red
A powerful red, with a deep well of dark plum, blackberry and smoked cherry flavors. Finishes long, with lots of chocolate, bacon and spice. Drink now through 2012.—K.M.

Lemos & Van Zeller
Douro Quinta Vale D. Maria 2005
92 points | $65 | 250 cases imported | Red
Has a spicy, peppery aroma, with flavors of dark plum, dark cherry and hints of pomegranate. Notes of iron and mineral also pervade this muscular red, with plenty of tannins on the finish. Best from 2009 through 2014.—K.M.

Niepoort
Douro Batuta 2005
92 points | $110 | 50 cases imported | Red
Full-bodied and elegant with flavors of dark plum, meat, mocha and hints of hickory. Long finish highlights the ripe fruit and silky tannins. Drink now through 2011.—K.M.

Niepoort
Douro Vertente 2005
92 points | $32 | 100 cases imported | Red
The aroma is redolent of berry and cherry, with rich, lush flavors of plum, raspberry, cherry and spice, flanked by veins of mineral. The long finish is filled with mocha and cream. Drink now through 2014.—K.M.

Poças Junior
Douro Reserva 2004
92 points | $25 | 200 cases imported | Red
Concentrated red in a dry Port style, with intense aromas and flavors of dark currant, kirsch, cherry and spice. No-holds barred with the tannins, with a deep vein of dark chocolate and espresso, which linger with plenty of grip on the finish. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca. Drink now through 2015.—K.M.

Quinta do Vallado
Douro Reserva 2005
92 points | $60 | 150 cases imported | Red
Concentrated blackberry aromas and flavors dominate this very juicy, fresh-tasting red. Strong notes of chocolate and French roast fill the finish. Drink now through 2012.—K.M.

Quinta do Vallado
Touriga Nacional Douro 2005
92 points | $55 | 100 cases imported | Red
A muscular, strapping Touriga, with dark plum, red cherry and raspberry. Has a long, lingering finish of dark chocolate and ganache. Drink now through 2012.—K.M.

Vinhos Borges
Douro Quinta de Soalheira 2005
91 points | $12 | 200 cases imported | Red
A pure expression of raspberry, red plum and pepper flavors. Long and concentrated, with a smoky finish filled with plenty of coffee bean, chocolate and mocha. Best from 2009 through 2013.—K.M.

Niepoort
Douro Redoma Red 2005
91 points | $55 | 100 cases imported | Red
Powerful and focused, with crushed red fruit flavors and plenty of mineral and chocolate notes. Finishes crisp, with spice and mint. Drink now through 2012.—K.M

HOT WINES
These are the most exciting discoveries from our editors’ most recent tastings, published exclusively in Wine Spectator Insider. They are high-scoring, low-production wines from around the world that may be difficult to find, but are worth seeking out.

Quinta do Crasto
Douro Vinha Maria Teresa 2005
96 points | $149 | 50 cases imported | Red
Delivers gorgeous aromas and flavors of chocolate, dark cherry and spice. Concentrated and refined, this luscious, unctuous red is filled with silky tannins and enough crushed red fruit and mineral notes to linger long after the last sip. This comes from a steep, single-vineyard plot featuring vines as old as 80 years. Drink now through 2015. From Portugal.—K.M.

Quinta do Crasto
Douro Reserva Old Vines 2005
95 points | $40 | 1,500 cases imported | Red
Deeply colored, with intense yet refined aromas and flavors of kirsch, boysenberry, dark cherry and spice. The fruit is supported by focused notes of mineral and graphite, and the finish is loaded with dark chocolate and medium tannins. Drink now through 2015. From Portugal.—K.M.

Niepoort
Douro Charme 2005
95 points | $98 | 15 cases imported | Red
An elegant red from the Douro in a Burgundian style, with a beefy aroma and refined flavors of plum, raspberry, dark cherry and sandalwood. Has silky tannins, with a long, entrancing finish filled with cream, mocha and chocolate. Niepoort’s first classic-rated red; made mostly from Tinta Roriz (the Spanish Tempranillo grape) and Tinta Franca. Drink now through 2014. From Portugal.—K.M.