Tasting Notes: Portuguese Wine
Campolargo Branco Arinto 2009 ($18) A refreshing white made using all arinto grapes, this smells of melon, vanilla, and pencil shavings, with salty and grapefruit flavors mellowed by oak.
Esporao Reserva 2008 ($25) Blueberry aromas, with hints of chocolate and vanilla, yield to ripe dark-fruit flavors and a long finish. Try it with grilled steak or a strong, ripe cheese.
JM Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde 2011 ($8) Floral and citrus aromas characterize this light, refreshing, and subtly effervescent white, perfect as a summer aperitif.
Quinta de La Rosa Reserve 2007 ($48) Made from hand-picked fruit matured in large French barriques for 12 to 18 months, this deep purple blend has persistent flavors of blackberries, plums, and coffee.
Quinta da Terrugem Aliança Alentejo Single Estate 2007 ($23) Aged for a year in new French oak, this medium-bodied, ruby-hued blend has a ripe, sweet nose, with touches of mineral and raisin and a long, licorice finish.
Quinta do Louridal Poema Alvarinho 2009 ($32) Full of ripe golden apple with a great minerality and a light effervescence, this medium-bodied white is a great match for spicy foods.
Quinta do Monte d'Oiro Reserva 2003 ($45) This aromatic red smells of both bacon and jasmine, with a chocolately flavor and a sexy velvet finish.
Quinta do Vale Meao Douro 2008 ($87) Beautifully structured, with great acidity, this red has berry aromas and hints of smoke and vanilla.
Wine & Soul Guru 2010 ($45) A creamy, oak-aged white tasting of stone fruits, this one finishes long and dry and can hold up to hearty pork and seafood dishes.
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