Portugal is a great source for value in the wine world. This wine provides exceptional value. It is a blend of 52% Grand Noir, 33% Trincadeira, 15% Aragonês fermented in clay amphorae. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. the nose is nice with black raspberries, baking spice, dates and slight chocolate.
Decanted for about 6 hours prior to drinking. This is a good if not great declared vintage. Deep ruby in color. The nose has milk chocolate, cherries, and raspberries. Full bodied. On the palate, this is sweet with chocolate covered raisin notes. Very tasty. Some complexity. Solid finish. This is drinking very well now and should probably be consumed over the next decade though it will certainly have something ot offer after that. Drinks well on its own, it would work well with a chocolate cake.
From a 375ml bottle. At age 20, even from a half bottle, this is drinking great. No hurry though, especially from a full sized bottle. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with chocolate covered cherries and raisins. On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying. Slightly viscous. Lots of cherries cordial candy flavors. Some warmth if not heat. Deep and complex, it slowly unwinds in the glass. Long finish. Delicious on its own, this worked with blue cheese but chocolate is another fine choice. It will easily last another fifteen to twenty years if well stored.
The Rare Wine Co.'s Historic Madeira series is an excellent way (and affordable) to sample different styles of Madeira. This one is iced tea in color. Partially opaque and bright. The nose is great with orange peel, slight red berries, and toffee. Full bodied.
This is and has been a go to value in outstanding wine for a long time now. The winery makes all different price ranges and this one is in the middle. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, slight black olives, spice and a bit of earthiness. On the palate, this is full bodied. It still has light tannins with plenty of black cherry fruit. Lovely texture. Nice finish. It is drinking well but can still probably improve a bit as it gets to peak. Let's say three to five more years until peak and another ten to twelve of prime drinking after that. It drinks well
This was a new Port house for me. Purple in color, some brown swirls. The nose is dusty with cherries and slight milk chocolate. On the palate, more black cherries. Slightly sweet. Viscous. Some warmth, not hot. Nice finish. This worked very well with a molten chocolate cake for dessert.
This is drinking quite well. Opened (it needed a Durand) and poured. Deep ruby in color. The nose is great with black raspberries, slight coffee grounds and dark chocolate. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Chocolate covered raisins with raspberries and black raspberries. A touch of char. Full bodied. Deep and complex but most of all delicious. Slight warmth on the finish. It went quite well with a brownie. No hurry, this has at least a decade.
This is a great value in Port wines. Is it an amazingly complex Port? No, but its also less than $20. It is a tasty and warming beverage that is a crowd pleaser. Purple in color. The nose has chocolate, raspberries and slight raisins. On the palate, this is more like chocolate covered cherries. It is viscous and slightly sweet. There is some depth and complexity. Warming on the finish. This is great on its own, but use a small pour as there is a lot of alcohol. It will also work great with a chocolate dessert.
