2003 Fonseca Porto Vintage, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
96
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Nice to revisit this.  At age 19, this is still youthful but starting to show some refinement.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with chocolate covered raisins and some red raspberries.  Lots of energy.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, chocolate and raisins.  Sweet, not cloying.  Some heat on the finish.  This should easily go another fifteen or twenty years.  Great on its own or with some type of blue cheese.

Esporão 2021 Colheita

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

The grape Antão Vaz is believed to be native to Portugal and definitely thrives here in warm dry climates, and is one of the most common grapes in this region. Here it delivers a light, clean and bright acidity leading into lychee, light lemon-lime, guava, apricot, mild resin, wildflower, and lemon candied almonds. The beauty of a good white wine is that the acidity makes it appropriate for a diversity of foods, and this 2021 has an abundance of acidity to work with lighter dishes as well as heavier meals.

Quinta do Vesuvio 2019 Comboio do Vesuvio

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

You may know the Symington family from the wide number of Port wine they produce, but they’ve also excelled at producing still red and white wines for years. Their latest venture, this delicate little wine, is worth looking into. A blend of traditional Port grapes, including Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, this offers blackberry, blueberry, huckleberry, black cherry with soft notes of strawberry, cocoa, and plum. The wine offers a terrific acidity and being unoaked, it still has a depth of character that many unoaked wines do not.

Six Grapes Reserve Port (NV)

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

As a non-vintage wine, Six Grapes Port does show slight variation from year to year. This offering, with its new label and bottle design is the best NV to date. I have tasted Six Grapes upon its release every year for more than a decade and can attest that it’s moving in a direction that is more comprehensive as a signature wine. This new bottling shows ripe lush and opulent fruit without being overly sweet or cloying. Comprised, not of six grapes but actually eight in this case, the acidity balances out the fruit, the tannic structure balances out the sweetness.

1997 Fonseca Porto Vintage, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1997
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

A bit lighter in style than say the '94 or '00 vintages, but drinking well nevertheless.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black raspberries and chocolate covered raisins.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, slightly sweet chocolate covered cherries.  There is a nice depth and complexity.  Drink over the next ten years.  A nice match with a chocolate dessert.  

2019 Herdade do Rocim Vinho Regional Alicante Bouschet, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

100% Aicante Bouschet raised in 300L French oak barrels.  Purple in color, garnet at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, spice and slight earthiness,  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, more like black cherries with underlying char.  Depth if tight.  Long finish,  Some warmth,  This needs some cellaring or air but is still delicious,  Drink over the next ten to twelve years although the winemaker told me 15 years plus!  This would go nicely with Korean BBQ short ribs or other food off the grill,  

2019 Herdade do Rocim Touriga Nacional Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is 100% Touriga Nacional.  Raised in large barrels for 11 months. Garnet in color with some magenta swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, violets and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Creamy texture.  On the palate, black cherries, slight cough drop note and anise.  Nice finish in which the tannins come out more,  Some warmth,  This is great on its own but would be nice with roasted duck or chicken.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Great value.

2019 Herdade do Rocim Alentejo Vinho Branco Amphora

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

 This is a blend of Antão Vaz 40%, Perrum 20%, Rabo de Ovelha 20%, and Monteudo 20%.  Very interesting and good!  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemons, lemon verbena, minerals and summer savory.  Velvety texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, minerals and lemons.  Lots of depth and complexity.  Semi-tart lemons on the finish.  I was told in other vintages this is done as an orange/amber wine.  This is very clean, but the complexity is great no matter what color.  Great on its own but this should be very food friendly.  Seafood is a great choice.  

2021 Herdade do Rocim Mariana Rosé, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is 60% Touriga Nacional and 40% Aragonez grapes.  Salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show orange zest and slight cherries.  Nice slightly oily but creamy texture.  On the palate, quince, cherries and slight herbal note.  Enough acidity to put it all together.  Nice finish.  Very refreshing.  Very nice on its own, this would also work with a Margharita pizza.  Drink over the next few years.  

2021 Herdade do Esporão Vinho Regional Alentejano Monte Velho Rosé, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is a Rose from Portugal made from Touriga Nacional, Aragonêz, Tinta Caiada, Syrah, and Trincadeira.  Pink in color with some violet hues, clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show strawberries and slight raspberries.  Lower acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, strawberries.  Moderate finish.  This is easy to drink.  Nice on its own, it works well with snacks like olives and nuts.  Good value in Rose.

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