Portugal

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

This a delicious blend from Portugal made up of Alicante Bouschet (60%),Trincadeira (20%), and Touriga Nacional (20%).  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, plums and slight black licorice.  A rich, velvety texture.  Firm tannins at the moment.  Black raspberries and also an interesting quality that has the taste of black raspberry seeds.  Long finish.  This may yet improve for the next five to seven years and should drink well for another five to seven after that.  This will work well with venison but also just a (veggie) burger off the grill.  An excellen

This red blend from Portugal is made from 35% Aragonez, 30% Trincadeira, 20% Alicante Bouschet, and 15% Syrah.  It is fermented in steel, stabilized and meant for immediate consumption.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is sweaty, dusty with red berries.  On the palate, the red berries come thru with a tart acidity.  Some char/smoky notes which is interesting (must be from the Syrah).  This is an easy wine to drink both on the palate, and on the wallet.  It will work better with food and would be a nice choice for a party with burgers or ribs off the gri

This is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, and Aragonez.  Very pale pink/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of cranberries with nice minerality.  With air, the nose expanded to have some strawberries and slight earthiness.  Good acidity.  Light bodied.  On the palate, raspberries and cranberries.  Tart.  Turning  more to strawberries with a slightly oily texture on the finish.  12.5%ABV but some warmth.  This will work better with lighter foods or seafoods but would work with a pizza too.  Drink over the next year.  

This is a blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, and 30% Trajadura grapes that checks in a 9.5% ABV.  It is a light and delightful white wine that makes an easy start to the evening.  Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has minerals, limes, and slight honeydew.  A slight effervescence.  Very slight oily texture.  Nice acidity.  This probably should be drunk now to enjoy the spritz and vitality.  It drinks well on its own and will work with lighter salads and seafood.  

And, yet another great value in red table wine from the Douro in Portugal.  This is a field blend using vines over one hundred years old.  Deep garnet/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has plums, boysenberries, slight chocolate and char.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has boysenberry fruit with some underlying smoke/char.  Good balance.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with all but the lightest foods.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

This seems to be about at peak, at least from the 375ml bottle.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with chocolate, raspberries, and slight raisins.  Full bodied.  Sweet.  Viscous.  Complex.  Liquified chocolate covered raisins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This needs about 30 minutes of air to blow off bottle stink and good to go.  It should easily drink well for another ten years.  great on its own, this will work well with a chocolate dessert.  

This is another very nice value red from Portugal.  Deep garnet in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries and a dried herbal note.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good balance.  Tart black cherry fruit.  No hard edges.  This drinks easy.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for the next three to five years.  It will work on its own and go nicely with a burger off the grill.  

This is a white blend of Antão Vaz 40%, Perrum 40%, and Roupeiro 20%.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has golden raisins, slight hay and a bit of citrus.  On the palate, this has a viscous texture.  Nice citrus, lemon balm and some minerality.  Good finish with a bit of lemon candy notes.  This is an easy drinking wine with just enough tang to work on its own or with lighter foods.  It should be consumed voer the next year or two.  

Another great valley in table wine reds from Portugal.  A go to category for exceptional values.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with plums, blueberries and slight black raspberry along with a bit of spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, the blueberries come thru along with some black cherries and underlying char and spice.  Good finish.  This could use a bit more cellaring or air, but should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  It drinks well on its own and will work with grilled foods.  

This was decanted for about 2.5 hours prior to serving.  Very nice showing.  Ruby in color with just slight browning, clear and bright.  The nose shows some age but also some youth left.  Cherries, chocolate covered raisins, and a bit of dust.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has a nice layered complexity.  Drinking mature but not over the hill.  Layers of cherries and cranberries with slight milk chocolate.  Tasty.  This is the kind of Port that is probably better to drink on its own and contemplate life, but it did work well with chocolate tiramisu.  It probably should be consumed in