Delicious, value-driven Ruby Port for Valentine's Day

Happy February. January felt like a lot, generally, and congrats if you’ve done dry January or generally tried to make improvements in your lives and the lives of others.

If you celebrate Valentine’s Day, or you’re looking for something to treat yourself in these cold days, I’ve got a wine this week that would be a great choice.

I’m talking about Port. And not the kind that costs a ton and you have to age for decades – the entry level, crushable, value-driven Ruby Port. Sandeman is a classic producer (dating back to 1790) of these traditional Portuguese fortified wines and they craft a range of classic styles with unique flair. They recently released their reliably delicious Ruby Port with a new canister and packaging (a cooperation with Lisbon-based street artist OzeArv) that could make for a nice gift for the wine lover in your life.

Wishing you all the best during this month of February!

This wine was received as a sample and tasted sighted.

N.V. Sandeman Porto Founder's Reserve Ruby Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $25
Vibrant purple/violet color. Deep, warm, inviting nose of baked cherry pie, sweet plums, and blackberries, mixed with tones of roasted chestnut, anise, and coffee. It has the classic Ruby plush texture, and shows smooth tannins, integrated sweetness, and fresh acidity. Flavors of rich plums and black cherries blend well with nuances of anise, Christmas cookie, coffee, roasted nuts, and some subtle earth. Rich and plush but shows freshness as well – would be a great crowd-pleaser or entry into Port, but has complexity and depth as well. (89 points)

Fortified wines for Autumnal times

I am so stoked about Autumn! Here in the Mid-Atlantic the leaves are peaking and I’ve been waking up early on cool, crisp mornings whenever possible to go birdwatching, hiking, climbing, really anything outside. It’s all wonderful to me this time of year.

October in Shenandoah National Park.

Halloween is just around the corner as well, and sugary sweets and spooky fun abounds. Don’t worry – I’m not writing about pairing wine with Halloween candy. No thanks. But, this week I want to highlight some frightfully delicious fortified wines that would make a great adult treat for this time of year.

Tawny Port is such a fun style, from the younger, more accessible – but highly delicious – offerings, to the richer, nuttier, more savory styles of longer-aged wines, there’s a lot of unique flavors and variations to explore. To start, I think it works best to pick a producer and see if their style aligns with your palate.

Dow’s is one of my favorite Port houses, ever since I bought two 2003 Vintage Ports upon release – the first time I spent more than $80 on a bottle of wine. (They’re still both sleeping, of course, and will for years to come.) While their Vintage Ports are well-known and heralded, the Tawnies really rock, too. And this week I have three to choose from. 

And I can’t forget Sherry. But let’s focus on a dry wine, shall we? The Tio Pepe brand from Gonzalez-Byass offers several of these Spanish delicacies, but their dry Palomino Fino is bright, zesty, and makes for such pleasant sipping. Bring out the bleu cheese and Marcona almonds for this one. 

These wines were received as samples and tasted sighted. 

Dow’s 10-Year Tawny Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto 
SRP: $45
Rich, deep ruby/tawny color. The nose exudes roasted figs, sweet dates, candied pecans, along with toffee, notes of honeyed tea, and some clove and light roast coffee. The palate is rich and suave with a mouthfeel moderated by the acidity, and flavors of yellow raisins, plum compote, and dried mango. Sweet but vibrant tannins with nuances of black tea, salted caramel, milk chocolate, and toffee. So smooth and pleasant. (91 points)

Dow’s 20-Year Tawny Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto 
SRP: $78
Beautiful amber color. The nose smells of warm rooibos tea, caramel, apple pie, along with clove, roasted nuts, toffee, and hints of earth and clay. The palate is plush and sweet with a lovely depth of texture and fresh acidity to keep things balanced out nicely. Flavors of fig paste, apple butter, candied orange peels, along with nuances of toffee, dark chocolate, and some cigar box. Suave, deep, complex, yet refreshing and so fun to sip. Lovely stuff. (93 points)

Dow’s 30-Year Tawny Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto 
SRP: $175
Deep auburn color. The nose is exquisite, as the nuances and depth are dialed up even more. I get dates, figs, candied apple, orange peel, along with toasted nuts, vanilla bean, cinnamon crumb cake, and salted caramel – lovely! The palate is suave, rich, and deep yet expressive and vibrant, and balanced wonderfully. Baked figs, dates, and yellow raisins for days. The fruit is backed up with honey, black tea, salted caramel, cinnamon crumb cake, crème brulee, and even some cool black tea, leather, and cigar shop tones. Harmonious, expressive, and simply beautiful. A sip of this lasts for a really long time. This on a cold night with some loved ones – a perfect idea. (95 points)

N.V. Gonzalez-Byass Palomino Fino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Tío Pepe (Muy Seco-Extra Dry) - Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
SRP: $20
Light yellow color. Aromas of oyster shell, salt brine, lemon, quince, papaya, with elements of corn husk, candle wax, and almond skin – a lot to sniff, ponder, and enjoy. The palate shows racy acidity with a briny, spicy appeal and a creamy, waxy texture. Flavors of lemon, orange peel, and green apple, and the fruit is laced with tones of almond, honey, oyster shells, crushed limestone, and sea salt. Fun, bright, dry, bracing, but shows delightful texture and complexity, and finishes with tones of green herbs and white tea. Delicious, versatile, would be good at pretty much any time and for any occasion. And a great value. (90 points)

Spreading holiday cheer with Port, Prosecco, and Napa wine

The holiday travel, juggling work and time off, family gatherings – it’s all in full swing and it can all be a lot. But I have a host a wine selections this week that would make either/or: 1) a great last-minute gift; 2) wonderful choice for ringing in the New Year; 3) fun and delicious wine to have around this winter.

I’m a big fan of Port, and the diversity of styles allows for palates of all type to explore and find something to enjoy. And during cold winter nights a glass of Port is an enriching experience. Graham’s is a Port lodge with a long and respected history, and like other large houses, they put out a wide range of styles. If you’re not sure which one you like, or you just want to experience different styles, Graham’s has a great little idea. It’s a three-pack of 200ml bottles that includes their Six Grapes (a ruby style), the 10-Year Tawny, and the 20-Year Tawny Port. This sampler pack is available for $55 and a worthy purchase for yourself or as a gift.

Bubbles are always on tap at my holiday gatherings (Champagne mostly). But I am no longer a Prosecco hater. The growth demand for these Italian bubbles in the U.S. in the past means higher quality wines are easier to find (at least that’s my experience). The supermarket brands are everywhere, but I’ve found a gem of a bargain. It’s a lot better than some more expensive peers, and would be a great holiday treat.

And to top things off, I had to include some killer Napa reds. Each year for at least the last decade, I’ve opened a Napa Cab during a delicious home-cooked meal with family – always during that glorious period between December 24 and January 1. Napa is king for a reason, and I want to share two new-to-me wines that wowed me recently, a Cab and a Syrah. They’re from Hoopes Vineyard, based in Oakville. Owner Lindsay Hoopes grew up on a farm and among the vines of Oakville, and the winery includes a regenerative farm and animal sanctuary. And the wines? They rock. I’m glad I found out about this producer, and the end of the year seems like a great time to share them.

These wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.

N.V. Graham Porto Six Grapes Reserve - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Ripe purple color. The nose exudes roasted figs and plum cake tossed together with violets, coffee, toffee, milk and dark chocolate bars. On the palate, I get a smooth, slightly chewy mouthfeel with moderating acidity. Ripe but nuanced flavors of chocolate-covered raisins, fig paste, sweet plum sauce, even some candied orange peel. Notes of sweet coffee, toffee, and violets add a nice kick, and there’s even some nuanced earth tones. That undeniably fun, juicy, ripe, and pleasant ruby style. (88 points)

N.V. Graham Porto 10 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
A rich tawny color with classic, deep aromas of roasted figs, golden raisins, sweet plums, and candied orange peels, along with coffee, toffee, and scents of almond cake and roasted pecans. The palate is sweet and plush with a rich texture and medium acidity. Delicious flavors of golden raisins, fig and currant compote, prunes, accented with toasted peanuts and candied pecans, with a salted caramel and honeyed finish. Undeniably delicious, and a great intro into the tawny style at a great price. (90 points)

N.V. Graham Porto 20 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
Deep tawny color. An even richer and more complex aromatic display, with roasted figs, dried orange peels, mixed with caramel, dried honey, sweet espresso, ginger snap cookies, and crumb cake. The palate is ripe and dense but stays enlivened with moderate acidity. Lovely flavors of pear butter, raspberry jam, dried apple slices, with all sorts of nuanced nutty, honeyed, salty, and crème brulee elements. Warm but invigorating, a lovely cold night sip with friends. (92 points)

N.V. Danzante Prosecco Extra Dry - Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco
SRP: $8
Slight copper color. A bright and chalky nose with crushed sweet tarts over top of lemon, ruby red grapefruit, and lots of white and yellow flowers. On the palate, this Prosecco is racy and vibrant with fresh acid, fine bubbles, and flavors of ruby red grapefruit, green and yellow apples and pears. Notes of crushed sweet tarts and seashells add complexity. Fun, vibrant, balanced sugar, with a nice salty kick. Screaming value. (89 points)

2018 Hoopes Vineyard Syrah Sophie’s Block - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

SRP: $50
Deep purple color. Dark plum and blackberries on the nose, so juicy and dark, with smoky earth, black pepper, violets, along with some potting soil and rocky earth. Richly textured on the palate, solid grip all around, but the acidity is lively and fresh. Flavors of saucy black cherries and tangy wild blueberries, and the fruit is accented with delightful notes of black olive, cracked pepper, a lot of savory spices. Earthy, tar, graphite, and mineral tones linger long on the finish. Savory, juicy, vibrant, spicy, this will improve greatly with five years in the cellar. (93 points)

2018 Hoopes Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
SRP: $125
Dark purple color. An intoxicating nose of black currants, blueberries, fig paste, with rich earth, savory spices, dried rose petals, along with graphite, cedar, and rocky soil – really needs time and air to coax out the full range. The palate sports a bold texture with grippy but fine-edged tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the lips smacking. The fruit is a mix of zesty currant, wild blueberry, and suave black cherries, accented with complexities of graphite, cedar, coffee grounds, tobacco, and leather. Deep but fresh, this will be a long-ager, and while it’s impressive now, it will reward the patient in the cellar. (94 points)

Wine Reviews: International Grab Bag

It’s been a very long time since I’ve traveled internationally, and with no plans for the future, I’m assuaging my travel lust this week with a mix of wines from all over the world.

I have some solid French wines in this report, including a diverse group of wines from the Languedoc region, some summer-friendly pink wines, and a delightful Chateauneuf. There are a few interesting wines from Germany (including a stellar Riesling), and some value from Portugal as well. Some crushable yet complex New Zealand reds make quite an impression, too.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2020 Domaine De Cala Côteaux Varois Rosé – France, Provence, Côteaux Varois
SRP: $20
Aromas of lemon, lime and guava, topped in sliced cucumber, chalk, hay and verbena. Light and zippy on the palate with crunchy, steely vibes, and flavors of grapefruit, orange peel and limes. Notes of white flowers, sea salt and celery seed add some complexity. Fresh, fun, springy-summery, salad-friendly rose. Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle and Syrah. (88 points)

2019 Domaine Montrose Côtes de Thongue Rosé – France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Côtes de Thongue
SRP : $15
Pale salmon color. Aromas of peaches and lemons, along with spiced white tea, shaved ginger and chalk tones. Zippy and tart on the palate with strawberry and wild raspberry. Spicy tones of pepper, mint and basil add some complexity. A tangy, fun rose. (86 points)

N.V. Michèle Capdepon Blanquette de Limoux Brut – France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Blanquette de Limoux
SRP: $19
Rich yellow color. A nice bready nose with salted cashews, honey, chalk, flowers, over top of yellow apples and orange peels. Crisp and focused on this medium-bodied wine, moderate acidity, some pleasant, light toastiness and creaminess. Rich texture, moderate depth, with yellow apple fruit topped in almond, graham cracker, honeycomb. Quite focused, food-friendly, a solid value sparkler that outperforms a lot of other sin this price range. Mauzac and Chardonnay. (88 points)

2017 Clos Fantine Faugères – France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Faugères
SRP : $25
Lovely spice and pepper on the nose with meaty, leathery, paprika-laced tones, over top of red and black cherries and currants. The acidity is really refreshing on the palate, with dusty tannins, medium-bodied, with juicy black cherries and plums. Complex notes of pepper, beef drippings, campfire, with violets and clove. There’s a stony and mineral presence as well. Great now, but decant it or cellar it for a few years. Aged 18 months in concrete. (89 points)

2018 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

SRP: $112
Medium purple color. A dark core of black cherries and roasted figs on the nose, with smoky, minty, charcoal, anise tones, grilled meats. Full-bodied, chewy tannins, medium/low acidity but enough to keep it together. Juicy black cherries and roasted plums, along with cocoa, menthol, dark chocolate, pepper, lamb hide – a lot going on here. Red and black licorice flavors, too. This is concentrated and young, one for the cellar for sure, but this opens up nicely, especially on day two. Should be great in six or seven years. Grenache with Mourvedre, Syrah and Vaccarese, aged 10 months in stainless steel and 20% oak. (93 points)

2018 Weingut Josef Leitz Rosé Pinot Noir Trocken – Germany, Rheingau
SRP: $17
Beautiful salmon color. Aromas of red apple peel and wild raspberry, fresh and floral with honey pot tones. Pure and vibrant on the palate, with a salty, mineral, talc-laden feel. Crisp and cool with raspberry, white cherries, lots of honey and floral complexities. Absolutely delicious, springy, versatile rose. 6.8 g/l residual sugar. (88 points)

2015 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese – Germany, Nahe
SRP: $50
Medium yellow color. Beautiful aromas of rushing mountain streams, chalk, sea shells, over banana, lime and white peach, tones of white flowers and green herbs. Plump fruit on the palate with white peach, papaya, drizzled with lime, met with racy acidity and balanced sugar – pristine and focused feel. Lemon drops and white peach topped in shells, minerals, ginger, peanut shell and white flowers. Crystalline in its focus, delightful and refined. Aging well with many, many years ahead. (95 points)

2020 Giunta Malbec Nouveau – New Zealand, North Island, Hawke’s Bay
SRP: $19
Deep purple color. Juicy and fresh on the nose, very Beaujolais-esque, with cherries and red plums, along with some cola, violets, floral potpourri. Fresh and delightful feel on the palate, with light tannins and crisp acidity, gushing with cherries and wild raspberries. Floral and perfumed with some slight clay, loam and tobacco tones for complexity. This has a good amount of balance, freshness and mouthfeel – a fresh, fun, semi-carbonic Malbec that should be a big hit with a lot of different palates. (88 points)

2016 Decibel Pinot Noir Single Vineyard – New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
SRP: $35
Light ruby color. Lovely spice tones life the aromas, with black pepper, red pepper flakes, beef jerky, over top of tangy raspberries and wild cherries. Zippy on the palate, pleasantly dusty-light tannins, and the fruit is refreshing and tangy (raspberries, spiced cranberry sauce, black cherries). Notes of black pepper and smoked meats, pepperoni, rose petals, I really like these elements and the racy, vibrant feel, here. A Pinot for those tired of baked fruits and high alcohol. Aged 10 months in 10% new French oak. (90 points)

2019 Dow Douro Vale do Bomfim – Portugal, Douro
SRP: $13
Medium purple color. Smells of plums and blackberries, deep and ripe, with smoky earth, pencil lead, violets and coffee grounds. Medium/full-bodied with a pleasantly chewy texture and medium acidity. Chunks of plums and juicy blackberries, laced with cocoa, cedar, iron and earth. Straightforward but balanced, ripe but nuanced. A blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and others. Great introduction to Douro dry reds at a very attractive price point. (87 points)

N.V. Graham Porto 10-Year-Old Tawny – Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $39
Deep tawny color. Pretty, expressive nose of dates, figs, caramel and toasted nuts, that classic warm, inviting aromatic display. On the palate this is full but shows moderating acidity, and chunks of glazed pear, dried pineapple, baked apples. Notes of cinnamon crumb cake, candied pecans and some salted almond add complexity. This is warm, inviting, delicious, and a great introduction to Tawny ports, but enough complexity to keep any tawny-lover intrigued. (90 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wine Reviews: International Grab Bag

This week brings another roundup of wines from all over the world. Let’s dig in.

Included in this report are a pair of appassimento style wines from Pasqua, a producer from Italy’s Veneto region. For the price, they offer up a really cool springboard into this traditional style of wines.

While I love wines from the Italian region of Alto Adige, it’s not that often I taste a Pinot Grigio that stands up and slaps me in the face (in a good way). Peter Zemmer’s Riserva Giatl is a super complex and invigorating PG that deserves some attention.

Per usual, the Port producer Dow’s delivers, this time with two aged Tawny Ports (10- and 20-Year-Old), which reminded me again why I love aged Tawnies.

I also tasted four wines from the northern Spanish region of Navarra, which is home to many solid wines that sell here in the U.S. for very little money. There’s a rosé, a Chard, a Pinot and a Merlot blend, and they all punch well above their price point.

Lastly, I want to highlight two wines from Early Mountain, a Virginia producer who has been going from strength to strength lately. Their newly released Chardonnay and Shenandoah Valley Cabernet Franc show what this exciting winery has to offer.

2017 Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Passione e Sentimento Bianco - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
SRP: $16
Medium yellow color. Noses of peaches, lemons, green apples, along with sea salt, nettle and floral perfume. Medium-bodied, this is juicy and plump, fun wine with medium acidity and plenty of yellow and green apples, apricots. Notes of yellow and white flowers, white tea, candied ginger, this is a lot of fun for the price. 100% Garganega, which spends a bit of time drying (appassimento) before fermentation. (87 points)

2016 Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Passione e Sentimento Rosso - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
SRP: $16
Light purple. Nose of candied cherries, sweet raspberries, with chocolate, roses, cinnamon and vanilla. Light tannins, super fresh and tangy, but there’s some rich texture. Cherries, raspberries, sweet and juicy with notes of chocolate, black tea and sweet vanilla. Yummy, fun, goes down easily, a good introduction to the appassimento style. A blend of Merlot and Corvina (which was left to dry for a month) and Croatina. (88 points)

2014 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
SRP: $25
Deep purple color. Aromas show a compote of plums, roasted figs, sweet plums, with anise, tobacco, dark chocolate and vanilla. Full-bodied and juicy with velvety tannins and tangy acidity. Roasted plums, figs, black cherries mix well with accents of black tea, coffee grounds, anise, dark chocolate. Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese, some of the grapes are left to dry until December before being vinified. This is a great intro to this style of wine and it always delivers for the price. (88 points)

2016 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio Riserva Giatl - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

SRP: $38
Rich yellow color. Gorgeous nose of peaches, limes, laced with floral perfume, fresh Spring breeze, wildflowers, cucumber and mint, with crushed rock notes. Plush on the texture with lovely depth on a full-bodied frame, but the acidity is nervy and fresh, pushing the wine forward. Yellow plums, peach nectar, lime, the fruit is laced with pretty, complex notes of saline, crushed chalk, floral perfume, mint, honey, Balanced, deep, complex, a Pinot Grigio to silence skeptics. Fermented in French oak, this wine is sourced from sandy, chalky soils in Giatl. A rare “Riserva” designation, this is some exceptional stuff. (92 points)

N.V. Dow Porto 10 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $37
Auburn color. The nose shows dates, figs, candied nuts, dried flowers and spiced tea. Full but fresh on the palate, a velvety, smooth, rich but lively feel. Dates, plum cake, candied pecans, and I get notes of cinnamon, graham cracker, spiced tea, dried flowers and clove. Rich yet vibrant, the sweetness is woven in really well and the wine comes across lively. This is a really solid Tawny for the price. (89 points)

N.V. Dow Porto 20 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $65
Deep auburn color. Nose shows deeper, more complex elements of digs, candied nuts, caramel, plum cake, I get some crème brulee and candied ginger. So smooth on the palate, full and sweet but really fresh and vibrant, too. The balance here is really lovely. Candied pecans, orange marmalade, almond cake, graham cracker, gingerbread – lots of deep flavor but it stays so vibrant. (91 points)

2018 Castillo de Monjardín Chardonnay El Cerezo Unoaked - Spain, NavarraSRP: $12
Medium yellow color. Aromas of yellow apples, glazed pears, salted peanuts, hay and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity, this rides a nice line between styles of Chardonnay, with juicy, ripe elements, but it’s not too plump or over-oaked (all stainless steel). Tropical mix of pineapple and lime blends with minerals, chalk, salted almond, cream and ginger. Nicely balanced, and offers deliciousness but enough to keep me thinking, too. Really good value. (88 points)

2018 Bodegas Ochoa Garnacha Rosado Calendas - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $12

Juicy watermelon colored. Nose boasts raspberries, white peaches, candied apple, topped in spiced herbal and nettle tea, cinnamon candies. Plush and juicy on the palate with a medium+ body and moderate acidity. Red fruit-forward in style with plump cherries, raspberry jam and watermelon. Nots of nettle, verbena, spiced tea add some complexity. This is juicy, forward rose that could stand up to meats and grilled veg with ease. Lots of fun for the price. (87 points)

2016 Castillo de Monjardín Pinot Noir Navarra El Cerezo - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $12
Deep ruby color. Nose of jammy cherries and strawberries, with a good amount of black pepper, sage, roasted earth, rose petals. Fresh on the palate with light tannins and bright acidity. Cherries, raspberry jam and red plums, juicy but not too sweet on the fruit. The elements of spiced tea, pepper and bay leaf add a nice spicy kick, with notes of rose petals and cola. Surprising amount of personality for a $12 Spanish Pinot Noir, which is not a statement I’ve made before. Stainless steel fermented and aged nine months in old oak. (86 points)

2015 Bodega Inurrieta Norte - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $14
Light purple color. The nose shows lots of spiced coffee, black pepper, clove, on top of juicy raspberry, black cherries and plum sauce. Full-bodied, velvety, accessible feel on the palate with medium acidity. Tangy black currants and sweet black cherries, the fruit is laced with lots of spicy black pepper, clove, leather. I like the savory kick here. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, this is a tasty, crowd-pleasing, barbecue-friendly red blend from Navarra for a solid price. (87 points)

2017 Early Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc – USA, Virginia, Shenandoah Valley
SRP: $30

Light purple color. On the nose, I get black cherries, juicy plums, cassis, along with a complex mix of anise, licorice, menthol and charcoal. Plush on the palate yet structured well with medium tannins and vibrant, crisp acidity, and the texture and balance are on point. Black cherries, cassis, laced with violets, spicy pepper, cocoa, earth, mint, coffee. With air, this opens up nicely and shows more spicy, floral tones. This is a really exciting Virginia Cabernet Franc. All Cabernet Franc sourced from Baer Ridge and Shenandoah Springs vineyards. (90 points)

2017 Early Mountain Chardonnay - USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Madison County
SRP: $30
Light yellow color. Such a burst of freshness on the nose, with lime, lemon, chalk dust, sea salt, white flowers and orange blossom. Plump and generous on the palate yet there’s a nervy, salty, chalk-infused vibrancy to this wine that doesn’t quit. Peaches and lemon curd mix nicely with complex elements of chalk dust, honeysuckle, floral perfume, lemon pith and a hint of green herbs. Deep yet bright, this is a stunner of a Virginia Chardonnay, sourced from Early Mountain and Quaker Run vineyards. Fermented in French oak, less than 20% was new. I’d love to see how this ages. (90 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist. 

Wine Reviews: New Releases from Around the Globe

This week’s report covers wines from all over the globe, including Chile, France, Israel, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The new vintage of Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor (the 2015), is a real stunner, while the Chilean producer Odfjell offers less expensive but exciting wines.

I cover a few wines from the Abruzzo region of Italy, along with the perennially value-driven wines from M. Chapoutier’s Bila-Haut brand. Yarden offers up a delicious Champagne method bubbly from Israel, while the Spanish region of Navarra (keeping with tradition) comes through with some solid buys.

These wines were all received as samples and tasted sighted.

2017 Odfjell Carignan Orzada - Chile, Maule Valley
SRP $23
Medium purple color. The nose is vibrant but bold with black cherries, red and black currants, and a great mix of black pepper, leather, grilled steak, with some nice floral undertones, too. Full-bodied (15%) with a velvety feel, and the solid tannins align well with medium acidity. Rich but tangy fruit (black cherries, dark plums, saucy black currants), backed up with a mix of leather, roasted herbs, rose petals, anise, charcoal and earth. Loving the depth and complexity here, and I’d like to age this 3-5 years. From 20- to 80-year-old, dry-farmed, Carignan vines. (89 points)

2013 Odfjell Aliara - Chile, Central Valley
SRP: $44
Rich purple color. So spicy on the nose, with a mix of menthol, mint, roasted herbs and pepper on top of black currants and cherries. Full-bodied, nice grip to the tannins but not harsh, this is a smooth and nicely balanced wine with medium acidity. Black cherries and currants are topped in loamy, rocky, earthy notes, as well as black pepper, roasted red pepper and mushroom. This makes me crave steak! Complex, long, this could use a few years of cellar time. A blend of 65% Carignan, 20% Syrah and 15% Malbec from vineyards in Cauquenes, Lontué Valley and Maule Valley. (90 points)

2015 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor - Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
SRP: $120
Rich purple color. The aromas show rich tobacco, pepper, scorched earth, grilled herbs, on top of tangy black currants, dark plums, cocoa and cedar. Full-bodied on the palate with serious grip on the tannins but vibrant acidity, the balance is impressive for a wine this young. Crunchy plums, black currant, rich but fresh fruit laced with complex earth, pepper, chewing tobacco, mint, charcoal, tar, coffee. Wonderful depth and balance with a long finish full of graphite and minerals. So young, with many years ahead, but classic Don Melchor stuff, an excellent vintage of this wine. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. (94 points)

2017 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon
SRP: $15
Pale lemon color. Aromas of lemons, pineapple and kiwi, bright yet rich fruit, along with yellow flowers, honey and sea salt. Rich texture, lovely honeyed and waxy notes but fresh acidity and a crisp feel, too. Flavors of lemon, kiwi and pineapple mixed with flower petals, sea salt, honeyed tea. Plush but crisp, this is fun but serious, and would be so good with a diverse array of foods. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Macabeo and Vermentino, this is a perennially awesome value. (88 points)

2017 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages
SRP: $15
Light purple. Nose shows bright raspberries mixed with juicy black cherries, along with rhubarb, black pepper, leather, sweet eucalyptus and rose petals. Fleshy texture on the palate, light and dusty tannins with crisp acidity, lots of red and black cherries, raspberries and plums. Notes of smoke, lavender, charcoal, black pepper and rose petals. Lovely, vibrant, delicious stuff, as usual, seriously delivering for the price. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. (88 points)

2010 Golan Heights Winery Yarden Blanc de Blancs - Israel, Galilee, Golan Heights
SRP: $33
Light gold color. On the nose, this is breezy and floral, with chalk dust, sea salt and slight biscuit notes on top of lemon, lime and green melon. Crisp and bright on the palate with fine bubbles and a zesty appeal. Lime, lemon, green apple, topped with white flowers, crushed chalk, sea salt. Some light biscuit notes, but this is a bright, light (11.5% alcohol) Chardonnay-based sparkling wine that would be great with salads and sushi. (88 points)

2017 Citra Trebbiano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
SRP: $10
Light yellow color. Aromas of lemons, white peach, along with floral perfume and honeysuckle. Fresh and bright on the palate, this is plump and peachy but shows nice acidity as well. Lemon, apples, simple, pleasant and fun with notes of honeysuckle, cucumber slices and sea salt. Good for the price. (85 points)

2017 Citra Pecorino Ferzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT
SRP: $26
Light yellow color. Aromas boast white peaches, green melons, along with flowers, perfume, so bright and vibrant, too. Crisp acidity on the palate with fleshy texture, almost waxy, and the balance and depth is impressive. Melon, lemon, apricot, along with deep floral and mineral tones, some stony, chalky complexity. A juicy and fun-loving wine, this would work nicely with so many different types of foods, but it has a lot of complexity as well. (89 points) 

2016 Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Ferzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
SRP: $26
Light purple color. Aromas of black cherries, plums, dark and fruity with elements of spiced tea, espresso and grilled herbs. Medium+ bodied with tangy, refreshing acidity and moderate tannins. Dark plums and cherries, deep but crunchy fruit, along with some pepper, loamy earth and espresso. Enough grip and depth to age for a few; this could stand up to some hearty grilled meats as well. (88 points)

2012 Dow Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $24
Rich purple color. Nose of roasted fig, sweet plums, blackberry and black cherries, saucy and jammy, with coffee and clove and anise. Full and sweet but fresh, with accessible tannins, moderating acidity, and flavors of juicy black cherries, roasted figs and plum cake. Notes of clove, vanilla, sweet fig cookies and violets. Accessible and fun, but not simple, this delivers a lot of complexity for the price – great cold weather, holiday party choice in LBV Port category. (89 points)

2016 Castillo de Monjardín Navarra La Cantera - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $12
Deep ruby color. Smells of strawberry and black cherry jam, smoky tobacco, herbs, clove and vanilla. Fresh and bright on the palate with light tannins and juicy raspberries, strawberries and red plums. Flavors of tobacco, mint, cola and vanilla add some complexity. Fresh and fun, accessible but balanced, too. Nice for the price. 85% Garnacha and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Stainless steel-fermented, aged six months in old French oak. (87 points)

2016 Bodegas Nekeas Garnacha El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $14
Light purple color. Smells of raspberries and jammy plums, saucy and smoky, with tobacco and anise notes. Light tannins, full-bodied, yet medium acidity helps it balance out. Black cherries, plums, this is a juicy, ripe and plush wine with a nice mix of violets, tobacco, espresso. Fun, crowd-pleasing, value-driven stuff. All Garnacha aged five months in French oak barrels. (87 points)

2010 Bodegas Ochoa Navarra Reserva - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $33Light purple color. Nose boasts dark plums, currants, blackberries, mixed in with a hefty amount of charcoal, leather, coffee grounds and grilled herbs. Dusty tannins but nice grip, velvety feel but bright acidity, and the balance is nice. Tart black currants and tangy plums, I get a lot of deep earth, graphite, leather, violets and soy. Complexity is impressive, this is ready to drink now or hold for a few years. Tempranillo with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, aged 18 months in new American and French oak, aged 36 months in bottle before release. (89 points)

<85 points
2017 Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
SRP: $10 
Medium ruby color. Nose shows raspberries, red cherries, rhubarb and white pepper. Medium-bodied on the palate with dusty-light tannins and tart acidity. Cherries and raspberries mix with notes of spiced tea, coffee and earth. Simple, fun, crowd-pleasing, pizza-friendly wine.

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist. 

The Historic, Aged White & Tawny Ports from Kopke

I love Port, and of course, vintage Port. But there are so many other styles of Port that can be overlooked, at least until you receive a bunch of fascinating wines from Kopke.

Kopke does things a bit differently, with a unique focus on aged white Ports (10, 20, 30 and 40-year), as well as Colheita wines (vintage-dated Tawny Ports) dating back decades. Established in 1638, Kopke is obviously an ancient house with a long history, but most recently, in 2006, it was purchased by the Sogevinus Group, which owns several other Port brands.

All the wines I received were bottled in 2017, as noted on the back label. These wines spend as much time in the barrel as possible, and Kopke actually bottles their wines to order.

In short, Kopke boasts some fascinating stuff worth seeking out for the Port nerds out there. Skeptics of white Port, beware, these are wonderful wines. 

They were received as trade samples and tasted sighted from 375ml bottles.

N.V. Kopke Porto 10 Years Old White - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $40/375ml
Medium orange color. Aromas of orange peel, apricot jam, ginger, white flowers, honeysuckle. Plump texture on the palate but fresh acid, this is full of almond cake and graham cracker flavors on top of bruised apple and apricot jam. The depth is really impressive considering this is the youngest of the group. (90 points)

N.V. Kopke Porto 20 Year Old White - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $60/375ml
Rich orange color. Lovely aromatics of spiced white tea, candied orange peel, ginger snaps, toasted almond, honey – complex and evolving on the nose. Rich textural depth on the palate, a honeyed, oily mouthfeel but refreshing acidity keeps it in balance. The apricot and orange marmalade flavors play well with candied ginger, honeyed tea, graham cracker, toasted almond, spiced herbal liqueur. The complexity is wonderful, and yet it is fresh and easy to drink. (92 points)

N.V. Kopke Porto 30 Year Old White - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $90/375ml
Orange/amber color. Smells lovely: orange marmalade, apricot jam, green tea, ginger, almond, honey. Rich but so fresh on the palate with moderating acidity and plenty of orange, candied pineapple and mango flavors. Notes of graham cracker, cinnamon, candied ginger, along with complex elements of sea salt, spiced white tea, clover, floral perfume, honeycomb. Wow, this is complex, deep, delicious, gorgeous stuff! (94 points)

N.V. Kopke Porto 40 Year Old White - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $150/375ml
Rich amber color. Intoxicating aromas of lemon oil, almond, orange marmalade, caramelized sugar, candied apple peel, roasted pecans and honey – wow. The textural depth is absurd, honeyed and oily but stays fresh from the acidity. Flavors of apricot jam, ginger snaps, green tea, candle wax, wood varnish, graham cracker, honeycomb, the complexity is astounding. Long, lingering finish with deep notes of sea salt and honey. So delicious, but so lively. Wow. (96 points)

2003 Kopke Porto Colheita White - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $40/750ml
Rich orange color. Pretty aromatic display of orange liqueur, apricot jam, spiced tea, apple pie and cinnamon. Plump and rich but fresh, this is honeyed and plush with flavors of apricot, orange marmalade, graham cracker, lemon oil, so complex and deep. Delicious stuff with decades ahead. (92 points)

1941 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $785/750ml
Deep auburn color. Waves in intoxicating aromas: ginger snap, yellow raisin, candied pecans, dried mango, pumpkin pie spice. Incredible aromatic display. On the palate, the textural depth is impressive, medium acidity and the sweetness are woven in so beautifully. Harmonious flavors of glazed pear, baked apple, yellow raisin, topped in cinnamon, clove, candied nuts, shaved ginger, honey, spiced black tea, orange peel — complex and delicious, deep and velvety, wow. Gorgeous now, but this has decades to go for sure. (95 points)

1967 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $240/750ml
Rich amber color. Nose of caramel, clove, cinnamon and ginger snap on top of apple cider and orange marmalade, lots of intoxicating and complex aromas. Plump texture on the palate but such pretty acidity, balancing out the sweetness, and letting the flavors shine: ginger snap, apple crisp, orange marmalade, spiced orange liqueur, clove, honey, black tea. Rich and unctuous but plenty of freshness, too, and plenty of time ahead. (94 points)

1981 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $240/750ml
Rich, deep orange color. Aromas of orange marmalade, fig paste, sweet tobacco, violets, clove, candied ginger. Full, rich texture but superb balance and freshness. Flavors of quince paste, yellow plums, dried apricot, with notes of cinnamon, clove, ginger snaps, fruit cake and graham cracker. Finishes with nougat, honey and freshness. Lots of depth, plenty of evolution ahead. (93 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Delicious Dry Reds and Port Wine from Portugal's Douro Region

Alright folks, let’s dig into the Douro, Portugal’s most heralded region.

Built on centuries of Port glory, recent decades have seen a large spike in the amount of high quality dry reds. Blended from traditional Portuguese varieties like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and others, these dry reds can be stunning, age-worthy and very reasonably priced considering the quality.

Yes, you can spend a whole lot on dry Douro reds (some are included in this report), but I’m frequently blown away by the high quality, complexity and serious structure of many red blends in the $15-$25 range.

I recently tasted through a bunch of Douro wines, including a range of dry reds and a few entry-level Ports. These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2015 Esporão Douro Minas Quinta dos Murças - Portugal, Douro

SRP: $25

Bright purple. Nose of dark plums, black cherry, violets, dark earth and charcoal, pencil lead, sweet herbs and some vanilla. Medium-full-bodied with moderate acidity and a fleshy texture with some dusty but grippy tannins. Dark plums and black currant fruit, deep but fresh, with tones of charcoal, iron, vanilla, and cedar. Structure for a few years but this begs for summer 2017 grill-outs. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão, aged in concrete vats and old French oak casks for nine months. (87 points)

2015 Esporão Douro Margem Quinta dos Murças - Portugal, Douro

SRP: $65

Bright purple. Nose of black and some red currants, gorgeous roses and violets, potting soil, smashed rocks and asphalt, some cola and cocoa powder notes. Full with solid tannic backbone but it stays velvety and smooth and shows medium acidity for freshness. A great balance between vibrant and rich fruit (red and black currants and plums), complex elements of black pepper, clove, anise, loamy soil, pencil shavings. Complex but so well-rounded, with a smooth, long finished packed with rocky minerals. From vines planted in 1980 in schist soils, this blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca is aged nine months in old French oak casks. (91 points)

2012 Esporão Douro VV47 Quinta dos Murças - Portugal, Douro

SRP: $100

Rich purple color. Such beautiful complexity and depth in the aromatic department: waves of black currant, plum, black cherry, roasted fig, accented by cocoa powder, iron, graphite, anise and chewing tobacco. Full-bodied with lots of tannic strength but plenty of moderating acidity, and it all lines up wonderfully. Dark but bright black fruit (currant, blackberry, dark plums), matched with graphite, charcoal, tobacco, mint, anise. Long, lingering, mineral-packed finish. A long, long life ahead for this beauty of a Douro red. From vines planted in 1947, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz is aged in old French oak for 12 months. (94 points)

2014 Dow Douro Vale do Bomfim - Portugal, Douro

SRP: $13

Deep ruby/light purple color. Aromas cherry pie and juicy plums, with some incense sticks, charcoal and scorched earth. Nice and tart on the palate with dusty/light tannins on a full-bodied wine (14.5%), but there’s plenty of sour cherry and black currant fruit. Notes of pencil lead, charcoal and coffee grounds. This is ready to drink but could hold two years or so, I could see this being a perfect Portuguese red for a by-the-glass list at a restaurant/wine bar. A blend of Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, aged nine months in French oak. (88 points)

2015 Prats and Symington Douro Prazo de Roriz - Portugal, Douro

SRP: $15

Bright purple color. On the nose: deep cassis, blackberry jam, roasted fig, lots of violets, cocoa powder, clove and coffee going on here. Juicy and plush on the palate, full-bodied and some grip to the tannins but it stays tangy. A core of bold but tangy fruit mixes with complex elements off roasted herbs, cocoa, violet petals , graphite. Complex but delicious, approachable now but structure to unwind for a few years. So impressive for the price. Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Amarela, aged in French oak. (90 points)

2013 Prats and Symington Douro Post Scriptum de Chryseia - Portugal, Douro

SRP: $24

Light purple color. Aromas of tart blackberry and cassis, backed up with campfire smoke, anise, loamy earth and black tea. Tart acidity frames the palate for this medium-bodied but sturdy wine, and the balance is impressive. Dark blackberry and tart black cherry fruit play well with notes of anise, charcoal, pencil shavings and black tea. A serious wine for the money that deserves a good decant or a few years in the cellar. Mostly Touriga Franca, with Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. (91 points)

N.V. Graham Porto Six Grapes Reserve - Portugal, Douro, Porto

SRP: $24

Purple colored. Nose of roasted figs, currant jam, plum cake, some anise, vanilla and ginger snap. Full and sweet, easily approachable on the palate, I get blueberry jam, roasted fig, and plum cake topped with cocoa, licorice, vanilla, espresso. Good, consistent, reliable introductory Port. (87 points)

N.V. Graham Porto Six Grapes Special River Quintas - Portugal, Douro, Porto

SRP: $42

Rich purple color. Rich aromas of plum cake, black currant, roasted figs, some cocoa, spiced black tea and ginger snap notes. Full but stays quite fresh with accessible but structured tannins. Flavors of black cherry jam, roasted plums and figs, laced with cocoa, coffee, sweet caramel and dusty earth. Impressive depth and complexity. A blend of old vine fruit form two different Graham vineyards, Quinta do Tua’s Old Terraces and Quinta dos Malvedos’ Vinha dos Barcos. (89 points)

N.V. Warre Porto Warrior - Portugal, Douro, Porto

SRP: $19

Medium purple colored. Aromas of roasted fig, blackberry jam, coffee, dark chocolate, charcoal and coconut notes. Full, shows some solid structure with chewy tannins and low acidity. A very cool earthy/tobacco note accents the black cherry and dark plum fruit. Notes of anise, spiced black tea and roasted nuts. Impressive depth and surprising complexity at this price point. (89 points)

N.V. Cockburn Porto Special Reserve - Portugal, Douro, Porto

SRP: $18

Dark ruby colored. Nose of saucy black cherries, fig cookies, vanilla and dark chocolate shavings. On the palate, this shows fig cookies, roasted plums, sweet coffee and chocolate shavings on a frame of light tannins and low acidity. Notes of vanilla and ginger snap, this is a simple, hedonistic wine for the price. (85 points) 

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Esporão - Delicious Wine on the Cheap from Indigenous Portuguese Varieties

When it comes to wines with high quality to price ratios, Portuguese wines are up there with the best in the world. And the producer Herdade Do Esporão churns out a wide array of delicious wines for insane value.

Esporao's grapes ripen under the warm Alentejo sun. Credit: Esporao

Herdade Do Esporão is an historic estate synonymous with the Portuguese region of Alentejo. This area of Southeastern Portugal, abutting Spain, is hot and dry and home to olive groves and indigenous Portuguese grape varieties, which are perfectly adapted to their home soils and climate. Esporão is rightfully credited with bringing wide attention to this region by crafting clean, modern, fruit-forward wines that maintain a distinctly Portuguese spice and flair. Hoerdade Do Esporão tends a massive estate: some 1,100 acres of vineyards planted to more than 190 grape varieties, about 40 of which constitute the bulk of production, according to Esporão’s 2015 report.

I taste a lot of Cabernets, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from all over the world, and that’s fine. A lot of consumers want to see a familiar grape variety on the label. I get it. But I find it refreshing and exciting to taste wines that combine a dozen rare and almost surely unpronounceable grape varieties. Especially when the wines are killer. These indigenous grape varieties, combined with well-drained and diverse soils, a warm climate, and some traditional winemaking techniques form dynamic and unique wines. And most of them are cheap.

The original estate was delineated all the way back in 1267, and called Defesa do Esporão. José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira purchased the estate in 1973. The first Esporão brand wine appeared in 1985, and today the wines are exported to more than 50 international markets.

Esporao's Chief Winemaker David Baverstock

In 1985, the first vintage saw the creation of the Esporão brand. The wine is now exported to more than 50 international markets. And Esporão has expanded into the Douro (home of Port and amazing dry Portuguese red blends) with the purchase of Quinta dos Murças in 2008.

I recently tasted through a large portion of Esporão’s portfolio at a trade tasting in DC with Chief Winemaker David Baverstock. David grew up in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where he and studied winemaking in the 1970s. Australian winemaking dates back to the 1800s, but in the 70s, David said, there was less than a thriving wine scene. So he looked to Europe and, eventually, to Portugal, which has become his family’s adopted home. “Nicest people in the world,” he said. And they make damned nice wine.

Below are my notes on Esporão’s wines.

2012 Herdade do Esporão Método Classico Bruto - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
$16
Tart and fresh but juicy, showing white peach and nectarine flavors with some sugar cane and floral tones. Easy-drinking, pleasant. Made from the Antao Vaz grape using the Champagne method (with nine months on the lees). (84 points)

2015 Herdade do Esporão Alandra Branco - Portugal
$6
Aromas: super floral and perfumed. On the palate, juicy peaches and apricots blend with salty/floral tones. Simple and crowd-pleasingly tasty. A blend of white Portuguese varieties, Antao Vaz, Perrum, and Arinto. (85 points)

2015 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho Branco - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano

Attention: Insane value alert.

$7
Aromas of sea salt, minerals, lemon curd and white flowers. Such pretty texture on the palate, vibrant acidity, there’s a creaminess but such brightness and minerality. Pears, honeysuckle, flowers, sea salt. This is an exciting white wine that would pair with endless styles of food. The fact that this wine is $7 is insane. Portuguese economies of scale, combined with indigenous varieties and relatively minimalist winemaking means that this exciting wine makes it to the U.S. for cheap as hell. I sipped this with five or six sommeliers, and it was everyone’s favorite white. A blend of regional white varieties, Antao Vaz, Roupeiro, and Perrum. (90 points)

2015 Herdade do Esporão Verdelho V - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
$11
Aromas of sea breeze, cucumber, white flowers and pears. Juicy peaches, melons mix with sea salt, flowers, minerals, such a pretty wine. Per usual with this producer, so impressive for the price. An impressive introduction to this lovely Portuguese variety (which is known for its use in Madeira). (87 points)

2015 Herdade do Esporão Alandra - Portugal
$6
Smells of spicy red berries and herbs. Tart and spicy on the palate with juicy red currants and cherries, some pepper and earth tones. A real wine for $6? They do exist. A blend of red Portuguese grapes, including Moreto, Castelao, and Trincadeira. (85 points)
2015 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
$7
Darker, juicier aromas than the Alandra. Berry compote, savory spices and earth. On the palate, juicy, fleshy, fun but showing some tannic structure and fresh acidity. Spicy dark fruit with a smoky finish – delicious with some charcuterie. Crazy value. (87 points)
2015 Herdade do Esporão Trincadeira T - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
$10
Smells like juicy black cherries and dark soil. Smoky, juicy black cherries and plums with flavors of charcoal and earth. Easy-drinking, soft, approachable style. Made from the Trincadeira grape. (86 points)

2013 Herdade do Esporão Assobio Quinta dos Murças - Portugal, Douro
$10
Aromas: more currant, darker fruit, with anise and pepper notes. I love the balance on the palate, dusty tannins and fresh acidity, plus you get all this juicy red berry fruit and some sweet, herbal, spice flavors. Delicious and absurdly friendly with food. Open six bottles of this at a party and see how fast it goes. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca. (87 points)

2014 Herdade do Esporão Defesa - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
$12
Aromas of dark and juicy plums and currants, along with menthol and sweet green herbs. Good structure on the palate with moderate acidity for freshness. Juicy dark currants, smoky herbs and spices. Structure is impressive for the price, this seems built enough for a few years in the cellar. A blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah. (87+ points)

2013 Herdade do Esporão Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
$18
Lovely aromas of tart currants, juicy berries, earth and smoke. Dusty tannic structure, moderate acidity, pretty red and black fruit laced with cedar, coffee. Near-term aging could be a good idea. A blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 12 months in French and American oak. A very serious wine for a not-so-serious price. (88 points)

2010 Herdade do Esporão Douro Reserva Quinta dos Murças - Portugal, Douro
$30
In contrast to the rest of the lineup, this is a dark purple colored wine. Smells deep and rich with complex black cherries and plums, mixed with mint, eucalyptus, pepper and violets. On the palate, this is smooth from age but still structured nicely with good balance between tannins and acidity. Plums, currants, violets, dusty earth, wet soil, leaves. Long, spicy finish. This spends 12 months in 15% new oak. A red Douro grape blend from vines planted in the 1940s, this will improve nicely over the next three to five years. (89 points)

2011 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Private Selection - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
$44
Dark plum color. Concentrated on the nose, dark plums and currants, pepper and mint – lots going on here. Awesome balance on the palate with dry tannins and vibrant acidity. Dark currants, saucy plums, the fruit is mixed with spiced tea, pepper, eucalyptus, mint. Cedar and coffee are woven in well, this is bold but elegant. 12 months in all new French oak and 18 months in bottle before release. It’s a big, New World-style but there’s a lot of freshness, which makes this wine really attractive. A blend of red grapes including Arogonez, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon. (90 points)

N.V. Herdade do Esporão Porto 10 Year Tawny Quinta dos Murças - Portugal, Douro, Porto$21
Aromas of raisins, caramels, quince paste and roasted nuts. A spicy ginger note on the palate, along with quince and apricot jam. Rich texture but very lively, elegant, even, and freshness balances out the sweetness quite nicely. (89 points)