WTN: Altano 2007

Douro
Symington Family Estates

A blend of Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca.

Dark cherry red in the glass.

Spicy, red licorice on the nose.

Light to medium bodied, stewed cherry and raspberry, spicy, black licorice, charred.

Drying with a tangy finish.

Drinkable, but not very enjoyable, which is a disappointment since I often look to Portugal for good drinking, inexpensive wines.

Purchased at $11.95 (Canadian).

The 2005 was excellent.

Have to jump in here Bruce as unofficial Portugal rah-rah -rah leader! Might need some time, the "stewed fruit" reference worries me.

Considering the quality some of the other Symington Estates wines I think Altano is considered by many to a bit of a disappointment. Around the Portuguese section of Newark you can pick this up for $5.99, so I guess you get the big markup in Canada. There are some pretty nice wines in that price range: I think I prefer Palestra or Porca de Murca at the low end of the Douro wine spectrum. Unfortunately, if you find a restaurant in Newark with a Douro by the glass they are likely to serve you something called Lello, which is pretty mediocre (I think it comes from Borges).