Dow 2020 Vale do Bomfim DOC Douro Red

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Dow has a long history with Port wines, but over the last few decades they have been making great strides with still red and white wines. They have consistently produced quality still wines that I have reviewed for several vintages. Their “everyday” red and white wines from Vale do Bomfim - line priced at a mere $15 - are terrific quality for the price. This red, a blend of traditional Port grapes not made into a sweet wine, includes Touriga Nacional (40%), Tina Roriz (30%) and smaller amounts of Tinta Franca and Tinta Barroca.

NV Poças Porto 20 Years Old Tawny, Portugal, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

My first time trying this producer.  Very pale ruby in color, clear and bright.  An interesting nose of cranberries with Kirsch.  Viscous texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, a bit more nutty than the nose.  Good acidity.  Sweet not cloying.  Flavors of craisins with slight Snickers Bar.  Nice finish.  A nice way to end a meal.  Perhaps serve with some nutty or chocolate pastry.

1997 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1997
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$350.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has raising, black raspberries, milk chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Viscous texture.  On the palate, black raspberries, black cherries, kirsch, milk chocolate and raisins.  Deep and complex.  At or near peak but probably another ten to fifteen years left.  Great with Blue Cheese, this would also work with a chocolate dessert.  

1997 Romariz Porto Vintage, Portugal Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1997
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has milk chocolate covered raisins.  Full bodied.  Viscous.  On the palate, slightly sweet with milk chocolate covered raisins.  Tasty.  Some depth.  Some heat on the finish.  This is at or just past peak.  Drink up.  Nice on its own and worked well with Blue Cheese.  

2021 Broadbent Branco Ilha da Madeira, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a dry table wine from the island of Madeira.  It is a blend of 91% Verdelho, and 9% Arnsburger.  A nice, easy white.  Some citrus, some sea air/saline and some minerality.  Nice on its own, this will work with sea food.  Not a crisp wine but a nice wine for a party.  drink now.  

1862 D'Oliveiras Madeira Sercial, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1862
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$2200.00USD

Wow, so much fun to try a wine this old.  The US Civil War was going on as these grapes were growing.  Sercial is the grape used and it makes the driest version of Madeira.  The color of Iced Tea, clear and bright.  The nose has orange peel, and an earthiness to it.  Also some walnut notes.  And, of course, some oxidation.  Medium bodied.  Bracing acidity.  On the palate, slightly nutty with a lot of alcohol.  A bit of butter scotch.  The finish is warm with some char.  A very interesting wine and a little goes a long way.  Probably best to drink this on its own after a great meal.  

1994 Graham Porto Vintage, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1994
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$110.00USD

Graham's is one of the top Port houses and 1994 was an excellent vintage for them.  Inky purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose has chocolate covered raisins with black raspberries and slight dusty notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries, milk chocolate, raisins and alcohol notes.  Long finish with some alcohol showing.  This is in a great place but not showing a lot of age.  Complex.  This should easily go another ten to  twenty years.  Great on its own, this will work well with chocolate desserts.

Quinta da Fonte Souto 2018 Alicante Bouschet

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$43.00USD

In France and Portugal, you’ll find Alicante Bouschet. But few other countries make it. So to find a stand-alone bottling from the Symington family (best know for their Ports), my interest was piqued. Soft tannins and mild acidity give way to blackberry, blueberry, ripe black cherry, a hint of huckleberry jam, and back notes of sage, wildflower and rose water. Unique unto itself, this is definitely a wine worth seeking out, if for no other reason than you won’t find this grape bottled very often.

NV Graham's 10 Year Old Tawny Porto, Portugal, Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

A very nice ten year Tawny Port.  Ten years is the average age of the wine which is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca, and 25% Tinta Barroca.  Iced tea in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with a nutty quality along with slight chocolate and a bit of Crème brûlée.  Full bodied.  Viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying with some alcohol showing (20% abv).  It is complex and deep.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with a less sweet dessert.  Something nutty would be ideal, but even a Pecan Roll would work.  So would a Snickers ba

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