Portuguese reds with AuZone

Five Portuguese reds, served blind.

• 2000 José Maria da Fonseca Alentejo José de Sousa Mayor 86 Points

  Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo

  Medium red, paler edge. Noticeably developed nose with barnyard aromas, leather, ripe berries, stony and slatey notes, some notes oxidation and dill. Has a nose like a classical Rioja, but of a somewhat rough character. Palate with red tart berries, some spice, medium(-) tannins. 86 p?
  This wine gave me a feeling of a “sneaky cork taint” (a mild cork defect hovering at the detection limit), but it can possibly be the style that include notes that I perceive as “unclean”. Our host claimed that this wine had shown a consistent style over a number of bottles, though. Difficult to tell if the "old-fashioned" impression is due to winemaking or aging.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2004 Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 89 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  Medium to deep red, rather compact colour, slightly lighter edge. Nose with ripe, slightly sweet and rather dark berries, slate or similar stony notes with an impression of powdered stone, just a hint of flowery aromas, some dung heap notes, barnyard and other animal notes. Palate with powerful concentration, tart dark berries including blackberries and dark cherries, some sweetness of fruit, rather well embedded medium(+) tannins, aftertaste with berries and spice. Somewhat young but approachable now, a bit Rhône-like and rustic. 89 p.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2006 Quinta do Noval Cedro do Noval 88 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Vinho Regional Duriense

  Deep red colour. Nose with ripe and sweet red berries and some dark berries, pronounced animal notes with meat juices and barnyard aromas, slate notes with with an impression of powdered stone, liquorice, and some dung heap. Palate with good concentration, tart dark berries, just a little sweetness of fruit, tar, medium+ tannins that are toned down by the berries, and a hint of bitterness. Slightly young, but would work now with rustic food, difficult to guess how it will develop. 88 p.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2006 Quinta de Saes Dão Reserva Estagio Prolongado 90 Points

  Portugal, Beiras, Dão

  Deep red colour. Nose with ripe and sweet rather dark berries and some raspberries, slatey notes, some liquorice and flowery notes with some violets, and some dung heap aromas. Palate with powerful concentration, tart dark berries and some red berries, well integrated medium(+) tannins. Rather young, but should probably be consumed in that state, 90 p.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Niepoort Douro Charme 89 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  Deep red colour. Nose with ripe dark berries, spice, some tar, rather well integrated and well handled oak, discrete flowery notes, some brown butter and caramel. Quite concentrated palate, tart dark and red berries, the butter notes make a comeback, medium(+) tannins. Rather young, gained some from time in the glass, could probably develop, 89(+) p.
  Honestly, this wine definitely underperformed compared to what I had expected, when its identity was revealed. At previous encounters, Niepoort wines usually impress, and this is one of their three top reds, and supposedly Burgundian in style. With notes of caramel and brown butter, I can’t really consider this a Burgundian-styled wine, no matter how the fruit or tannins come across. Can this be due to a too hot vintage? I’ve never encountered a bottle variation that introduces this type of notes into a wine, so I assume this is how it actually is.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No