Portugal

• Alentejo
• Bairrada
• Dao
• Douro
• Madeira
• Pico
• Ribatejo
• Vinho Verde

What a treat.  This is 122 years from vintage.  McKinley was president when the grapes were grown.  The color of dark iced tea, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has Tootsie-Rolls, toffee, orange marmalade and slight bitters.  Full bodied.  Vibrant acidity.  Fresh and delicious.  On the palate, toffee, orange peel, slight coffee and slight alcohol heat.  Long, long finish.  Complex.  A contemplative experience for sure.  This could likely go another 100 years.  While it would work with a less sweet dessert, this probably is best consumed on its own to really appreciate.  

A very nice affordable way to end a meal.  20% abv.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black currants, slight chocolate and slight figs.  Full bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is lightly sweet.  Black currants and slight chocolate.  Some alcohol showing especially on the finish.  This went very well with some hard cheeses and also some blue cheese.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

This is 100% Touriga Nacional and only made in the best vintages.  Deep garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, spice and walnuts.  Full bodied.  On the palate, lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying spice.  Thick tannins.  Long finish.  Great acidity.  Still young, this could use a few more years of cellaring.  Drink over the next ten to twelve.  Great on itss own, this will work well with lamp chops.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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

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

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.  

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.