Archive: Portugal: Douro

2004 Douro Charme ($100). A lovely, feminine red – less muscular than most at the tasting. With pretty floral notes accenting red cherry, berry, mineral and warm spices – all mingling on a creamy, plush finish. Should age beautifully for 10+ years. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

2004 Douro Redoma Red ($55). Great balance here, with integrated red fruit, full-bodied, earthy spices, dark chocolate and a mouthwatering finish. Very, very good. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

2004 Douro Post Scriptum de Chryseia ($24). Lots of French oak character here, with an array of baking spices, heady vanilla, and sweet pipe tobacco accenting lush cherry and plum flavors. Finishes with creamy mocha. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 07/06)

2003 Douro Chryseia ($60). Super lush and ripe, with opulent black cherry, plum, toasty vanilla, spicy chocolate and smoke flavors that fold into a generous, pretty finish. Should age nicely. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)

2004 Touriga Nacional Douro ($75). My favorite from the whole tasting, this is just a beautiful wine. Carnation aromas accent concentrated black currant and plum flavors, with black pepper, dark chocolate and smooth, creamy oak emerging on the generous, plush finish. Tempting now and over the next six or seven years. (Wine Skinny Best 12/06)

2004 Douro Vinha da Ponte ($125). Big and bold and in your face, with plenty of full-bodied black currant and dried black cherry flavors and aromas, layered with peppery, smoky oak and creamy vanilla. Best after 2007. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

2004 Douro Reserva ($35). A delicious value, with rich blackberry and cherry flavors laced with loads of spices and creamy mocha that emerges on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

Douro Reserva. Frankly, just about everything that’s come out of this Quinta (winery) over the past few years has been outstanding, including the vintage Ports. If you’re not familiar with the sexy red wines from the Duoro region of Portugal, it’s high time you experienced them. The Quinta da Crasto is family owned and quickly earning a reputation for excellence in a region that seems to be gaining ground daily for both its premium and table wines. The Reserva bottles retail around $25 and are getting better with each vintage. Full-bodied and rich with ripe fruit, tobacco, earth, spices, and toasty oak, this is definitely a wine worth sampling. (Robyn’s Picks, 02/02)

2007 Douro Prazo ($17). I loved this wine for its supple texture and rich flavors — deep plum, ripe red berry, smoky bittersweet chocolate, warm spices. It’s all carried on a medium-bodied frame and picks up appealing mineral notes on the bright finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-07-21)

2004 Douro Prazo ($15). Pretty red berry and strawberry flavors mingle with tobacco, mineral, and warm spices. Long, focused finish keeps you coming back for more. The favorite of the tasting — at any price! Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)

2003 Douro Prazo de Roriz ($13). An amazing value, with its rich, pretty, plumy flavors. Focused red plum and blackberry jam are laced with sweet tobacco, chocolate and clean, mineral flavors. Very, very good. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Robyn’s Picks 08/05)

2002 Douro Reserva ($27). Concentrated and meaty, with rich black plum and cherry fruit accented with smoke, dark chocolate and earthy notes. Long finish shows some grip. Best paired with something hearty like a grilled steak. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)

2001 Douro Reserva ($24). A wealth of deep, rich accents include leather, dark chocolate and espresso. Full-bodied black cherry and plum fruit flavors are supple and lengthy, and the whole thing is beautifully integrated and balanced. Finishes rich and generous, picking up dusty tannins and spicy oak. Delicious now and over the next three or four years. (Robyn’s Picks 08/05)

2004 Douro ($60). Fantastic nose here, with rich blackberry and beefy black currant aromas and flavors laced with loads of vanillin oak and pretty spices. Just a baby at this point, it should continue to age nicely for at least six or seven years. Mostly Touriga Nacional (about 60%), plus Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

Meandro Douro ($20). A heck of a deal – I’d drink this everyday! With a smooth blend of aromatic black plum and berry flavors, with an appealing peppery kick on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

2004 Curriculum Vitae ($95). Appealing dusty, smoky, bacony nose introduces powerful, concentrated, delicious black fruit flavors, anise and baking spices, excellent structure and a long, complex finish. Tightly wound, with excellent aging potential – eight to ten years. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

2004 Douro ($48). Ripe fruit aromas and flavors include blackberry and cherry, picking up dried herb notes through the dusty finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (World Wide Wine, 12/06)

2003 Tinta Roriz-Touriga Franca Douro Altano ($8). A great daily pour, with its moderate red berry and plum flavors, hints of spice and toast, and juicy finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 07/06)

2001 Tinta Roriz-Touriga Franca Douro Altano ($7). A great value, with smooth red berry and plum fruit accented with appealing warm spices that linger on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 10/05)

2006 Vale do Bomfim Douro Valley ($12). Seems like I always love this wine, and this vintage is no exception. Loads of blackberry and plum fruit with a slightly rustic edge, along with fresh tobacco and spice accents that linger on the fresh finish. Versatile with food. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-07-14)

2005 Douro Vale do Bomfim Reserva ($12). This is just delicious — quite possibly the best wine in this article. With focused red cherry, berry and blueberry flavors that are laced with toasty vanilla and nut notes and a dusting of mocha that fold together on a lush finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. Excellent wine at this price! (Bargain Wine 10/07)

2004 Douro Vale do Bomfim Reserva ($13). Easy to fall for, with its plummy depth and richness, with black pepper and cream on the bright, juicy finish. A really great value and so easy to pair with food. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)