Dow 2020 Vale do Bomfim DOC Douro Red

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Dow has a long history with Port wines, but over the last few decades they have been making great strides with still red and white wines. They have consistently produced quality still wines that I have reviewed for several vintages. Their “everyday” red and white wines from Vale do Bomfim - line priced at a mere $15 - are terrific quality for the price. This red, a blend of traditional Port grapes not made into a sweet wine, includes Touriga Nacional (40%), Tina Roriz (30%) and smaller amounts of Tinta Franca and Tinta Barroca.

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.

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.

2018 Mullineux Family Kloof Street Swartland Rouge, South Africa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is a blend of 44% Tinta Barocca, 44% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 4% Cinsault, and 1% Carignan.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, char and spice.  On the palate, this is a bit tart.  Black cherry fruits with underlying char/ash.  Moderate acidity.  It drinks like a nice Cotes du Rhone.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  Nice on its own, this would work better with pizza or a burger.  

2016 Quinta do Crasto Douro Crasto, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.99USD

This house makes some great wines that are quite expensive.  This is there base value wine that retails for around $15.  It is a very nice wine for the money as well.  Purple/ruby in color though a bit flat.  The nose has cranberries and boysenberries.  On the palate, the fruit shifts more toward black cherries.  Slight tannins.  Good finish.  Drink over the next five years.  Will work with medium and heavier foods.