WTN: Portugal Red

Quinta Dos Roques 1999 Reserva. Dao Blend.

Quite intriguing middle-aged Dao, my first. I am enjoying Portugese wines more than Spanish lately.

Pitch black-purple in color, there is a nose of blackberry and blueberry. Lots of sharp acidity on the palette, but I still liked it-the blackberry and blueberry carry through from the nose. A very strong note of "tobacco" but this doesn't taste like Chianti at all. for one thing, there are still lots and lots of tannins. Maybe a little volatile acidity? Just a hint though-a refereshing wine for such a big boy. About $19, and worth it ***

Rominger West Red Blend (Yolo County). New Davis winery. Simple, fruit forward quaffer. Tastes very sweet. Not my cup of tea, especially since it isn't much cheaper ($17) than the QDR Riserva above. *

Hi Brian,

I've been drinking a few Portuguese reds of late. Well, as many as I can find anyway. Not many available down here. But quite a few of them have tobacco notes. In a couple, the tobacco was dominant. But they were in the lower price range (About $5-7.00 / bottle)

I wonder which grape contributes to that facet of the wine? Or is a manufacturing issue?

Richard

I could probably google it

Google suggests that it's Tinto Nacional.

I've drunk one other Portuguese red (A Sogrape product) and had a similar reaction-lots of black fruit and tobacco. Good QPR

Is Tinto Nacional the same thing as Tempranillo?

Thanks for the notes, Brian. I haven't had much occasion to try Portuguese reds, but the theme of our next wine club gathering is Spain/Portugal and I may just go with the latter for my personal contribution after reading your notes.