Covela Colheita Seleccionada – Vinho Regional Minho – 2003 – Alc. 13.5% (€ 15-20, I think).
This wine contains Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as well as Touriga Nacional and is therefore not entitled to the Douro appellation even though the estate overlooks the river. Details about this wine and the estate are here - http://www.covela.pt/vermelho.asp .
C: Good intense deep red.
N: Attractively fruity and floral with a nice freshness.
P: This wine shows good depth, weight and length with round rich and quite up-front fruit and hints of spice balanced by appealing herbaceousness and mineral acidity and is mercifully spared any obvious signs of its new oak ageing. This is a very good wine in a modern international style. It is strongly marked by the Bordeaux varieties and I don’t get any sense of place. Blind, I would not guess Portugal. Nevertheless a very enjoyable bottle; 16/20.