Wines of Portugal tasting here in Edmonton!

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Held last Saturday afternoon at DeVines downtown Edmonton. 8 pourers, 60 wines, good crowd with proceeds going to the local womens shelter org.
Prices generally ran from $15 up to $30 but there were some high-end Colheitas, 10-yr Tawnys and so on.

I had to restrain from sampling too many wines as I was entertaining some friends at the rodeo and needed to be in good shape for the evening action!

The Whites.

The `07/`08? Crasto was the top white for me (as I expected). The CARM Vinhas Velhas was a close second. I was not too keen on some of the low-end Vinho Verdes served and the Morgadio da Torre Alvarinho was not up to usual standard. The Porto Douro Branco was tasted by Anastasia who found it "to be a tad sweet". As usual I loved the Arinto from Prova Regia.
There was probably another 10 whites that I passed on.

The Reds.

So many to taste here but no big high-enders offered. The `06 Prazo de Roriz which is mentioned on this forum sometimes was quite tight still, I have 2 in the cellar. Food might have helped here. The Flor de Crasto at $15 is a real bargain and usually flies off the shelves at the store. Juicy, some tannin, fresh..a nice Portugal introduction I always say.
The Quinta do Infantado Douro was a very big wine but way too "international" for me. A Vidigal Syrah ($20) was very popular and "had good structure". Remember that milk-shake Dao I posted on last month? Yikes.
The Luis Pato reds were all good across the board but prices are up there eh.

Ports.

Plenty to choose from, many 10/20 year old Tawnys. I was quite blown away with the 1985 and 1965 Messias Colheitas. The Taylors Tawnys offered all good, did not get to taste the Portal 10 yr Tawny. Also passed on the Offley 10/20 Tawny.

*** sorry that the link to wines offered does not work! I tried.

[Pedro Guimaraes]

Which Luis Pato wines were available in the tasting? I usually like his top bottlings...a lot!!!!