Going through Cellar Tracker, I am somewhat surprised to find that we have drunk quite a few bottles of Portuguese wines in the last 12 months. I note particularly several delightful whites. The two ports were typically dependable and I seem to have enjoyed the less expensive Douro reds more than the more upmarket but anonymous Quinta do Malhô. This is a repeat post for most of these wines but in the course of the month I hope to open some new bottles.
2014 Herdade da Comporta Vinho Regional Península de Setúbal - Portugal, Península de Setúbal, Vinho Regional Península de Setúbal (10/21/2016)This medium/light bodied white made from Arinto 55% & Antão Vaz 45% is full of charm. Nose white fruit, mainly sweet grapes and lychee with a lemon hint, sprinkled with herbs. Palate dry with some tenderness and roundness of fruit, developing the aromas from the nose with the addition of a touch of ginger and oriental spice together with enough acidity for freshness and a hint of backbone. My guess is that it is probably at its best right now with no development potential. Very good at present.
2011 Cap Wines Douro Quinta do Malhô - Portugal, Douro (11/15/2016)This is another example of a wine where I find the first sniff and sip impressive but where I rapidly tire of the jammy fruit, thick texture, high alcohol (15%), harsh dry notes in the tannins and above all international anonymity. The wine could come from anywhere and from any grape with no discernible terroir or varietal character. Such a shame from a distinguished region like the Douro. It's not impossible that some age would bring out more individuality but I'm not volunteering a repeat investment to find out.
2008 Graham Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (12/31/2016)Dark coloured, robust, fruity, quite full bodied with backbone, this LBV filled well its function as pairing for mature nutty Stilton cheese but had a raw touch on the finish and naturally lacked the depth, texture and subtlety of 25+ year old vintage port, all of which from my cellar has alas been drunk. This bottle was finished in one sitting so we are unable to see if a few days in the opened bottle brings a marked improvement as with the Christmas Banyuls. Good.
NV Ramos Pinto Porto 10 Year Old Tawny Quinta de Ervamoira - Portugal, Douro, Porto (4/16/2017)Yes the label does say tawny, but its quite deep ruby colour and its marked backbone could have fooled me. Once expectations were adjusted, I was able to enjoy its robust style with medium+ body, nut tinged fruit and firmness of structure. Good.
2014 Quinta Dos Platanos Alenquer - Portugal, Lisboa, Alenquer (5/5/2017)Made from the Fernão Pires and Anito grape varieties, this is a very charming dry white, but not bone dry, and medium bodied wine full of grape infused white fruit, spice and fresh acidity. Ideal pairing for a Portuguese style salty cod dish and good wine.
2015 Niepoort Douro Fabelhaft - Portugal, Douro (5/30/2017)Good robust wine with tangy fruit, earthy minerals, fresh acidity and backbone but, from my notes of the 2013, it does not have the same captivating complexity as that vintage. Just arrived last week and may have needed more time to settle down.
2015 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro Vinho Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde (7/5/2017)Deliciously medium/light with delicate citrus infused fruit, minerals and crisp acidity together with a slightly grapey and honeyed undertow. Very good.
2015 Symington Douro Altano - Portugal, Douro (7/8/2017)Fuller bodied, warmer flavoured, less Atlantic and more Mediterranean than I recall from previous experience, it showed dark sweet complexioned fruit, some depth, herbs and an oily rather porty complexity and finish.
2016 Symington Douro Altano - Portugal, Douro (8/2/2017)I find an attractive note of dessert grapes in many Portuguese whites and this one is no exception. Add to that medium body, fresh fruit and lively acidity and there is a lot to like and it was a good pairing for jumbo mussels brought from Belgium. Good wine and good QPR at €6.
2014 Niepoort Douro Allez Santé - Portugal, Douro (8/3/2017)I believe that this is the same wine destined for the Belgian market as is called Fabelhaft for the German market. Based on my TN of the 2013 Fabelhaft, it is indeed quite similar. It is medium bodied showing lively red fruit with a porty edge, spice, minerals and fresh mouth-watering acidity finishing off with nice gently saline grip. Good
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