2019 Parras 370 Leguas, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$11.00USD

Portugal continues to supply some of the best red wine values anywhere.  This is a blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz from Portugal.  Carnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries with some spice and a touch of mint.  Light to medium bodied.  No tannins.  The raspberries continue thru to the palate.  This is  an easy drinking red that is nice on its own and will work just fine with a burger.  Drink over the next few years.

1977 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

This is 100% Boal grapes aged for thirty plus years in cask before bottling.  For a Madeira it is young, but a lovely way to end a dinner.  Deep amber in color, clear and bright.  The nose has espresso, toffee, tiramisu, and oranges.  Full bodied.  Just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate, toffee, chocolate and orange with some alcohol and heat.  Long finish.  This worked well with chocolate desserts.  Very nice on its own as well.  Drink over the next hundred years.  

2017 Quinta de S. José Touriga Nacional Douro, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is sweaty with black raspberries and char.  Light tannins.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with underlying char.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now and seems to be mature.  Drink over the next five years.  Better with food, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

2018 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is a blend of organic grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca, that is made in Portugal.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is very pretty and perfumed/fragrant.  Cherries, anise and a slight dill (presumably from American oak) notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, lots of cherries and black cherries.  This has nice depth and is delicious.  Good acidity.  Some warmth on the long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with foods that one might paid with Pinot Noir s

2020 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva Branco, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of white organic grapes:  Antão Vaz, Arinto, and Roupeiro made in Portugal.  It sees 30% new American and French oak barrels and the rest is done in stainless steel.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is smoky with lemons, white pepper, peach and slight grapefruits.  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  On the palate, nice lemon, peach and white pepper notes.  Lower acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and will also work with lighter foods.  It is very tasty and should prove to be popular at this price point.  Drink over the next cou

2020 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Colheita White, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a white blend made from Antão Vaz, and Viosinho organic grapes.  Golden in color with silver hues, clear and bright.  The nose has grapefruits, powdered sugar and slight vanilla (and yet, no oak was utilized).  Also an interesting minty note.  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  Tingly acidity.  On the palate, lots of grapefruit with a slight bitter note.  This drinks easy and is refreshing.  It works nicely on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Salads or seafood would be good but also chicken salad.  Drink over the next year.  Nice value.  

2018 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Colheita, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a red blend using Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Aragonez organic grapes from Portugal.  Garnet in color, lighter at the rim, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, and a bit of chocolate.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is nice fruit here.  Easy drinking with black cherries and slight char.  Slight bitter cherry note on the end.  This is a nice value.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work well with weekday food such meatloaf, pizza or pasta.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

NV Graham Porto 20 Year Old Tawny, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Sometimes Tawny's get short shrift to vintage ports, but for the money, 20 year ports from top producers are well worth keeping around.  The bottle can be opened and consumed over a period of weeks.  This is one of the better ones.  Amber in color, clear and bright.  Lovely nose with toffee, caramel, burnt orange peel and slight nuttiness.  Full bodied.  There is some alcohol and heat on the palate, but more warming than hot.  Flavors of toffee, caramel and slight chocolate notes.

1991 Graham's Porto Vintage, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1992
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This wine, at age 30, is just about at peak.  Beautiful wine.  Inky purple, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries and chocolate covered raisins.  Full bodied.  Sweet but not too.  On the palate, chocolate covered cherries.  Complex.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Slightly noticeable alcohol.  This should continue to drink well for at least another decade.  Great on its own, with a cigar, this will also work well with a chocolate dessert.  

NV Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

These Rare Wine Historic series of Madeira are excellent and really great values, too.  Coffee color, clear and bright. The nose has burnt sugar, toffee, and orange zest. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Nutty and toffee on the palate, with a menthol note. Warming but not hot. Good acidity. Good finish.  A bottle can be consumed over months once opened, so it makes for a nice late night sipper in a small glass.  It can be paired with a not too sweet dessert especially a nutty one.  Drink over the next 75 years.  :-)

 

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