Rich, ruby red color; robust, rustic red fruits on the nose; plum, blackberry, dark fruits, mocha on the palate; fleshy, medium-full body, soft mouthfeel, assertive tannins, bit of tangy bite on the lingering finish;
blend of 45% touriga franca, 30% touriga nacional, 20% blend varieties, 5% tinta amarela.
Like many Portuguese wines, a lot of wine for the price and a flavor adventure that takes you out of your bland factory wine comfort zone. The grapes come from the Symington family’s Douro vineyards in Northern Portugal which also provide grapes for the House of Dow’s premier Port offerings.
For years, the Symington’s made this as a house wine, but after entreaties produced some for export to the U.S., where it quickly received praise and now is a staple of QPR (quality to price ratio) plaudits from the wine press, particularly those who savor adventure. The wine gets better with air, has grip and red-power substance that will pleasure experienced palates. It may, however, be tad too rustic and earthy for neophytes. Definitely distinctive and quaffable for lovers of idiosyncratic libations, and clearly worth a fling at the price point. $11-13
Second photo: Bomfim winery
