Portugal
Quinta do Ameal 2008
It’s 38 degrees in Melbourne today, so what to drink? The best idea is probably water, a bit boring for this time of year tho. A more enjoyable solution would be a nice bottle of manzailla or a beer, perhaps something sparkling. Or Vinho Verde, which is my choice tonight. There isn’t a lot of vinho verde getting around in Australia, so I feel quite comfortable in saying that this is the best around….
Quinta do Crasto ‘Crasto’ 2007
After a couple of weeks of demolishing kitchens, sanding and polishing floorboards, fitting a new kitchen and a few other things, I’m back tasting again. So to kick things off I’ve got this entry level wine from the Douro valley in Portugal. Many of you will know that Dominic Morris is involved in the operations here and he has made a very tasty and highly drinkable wine from the excellent 2007 vintage.
Vallado 2007
The 2005 edition of this wine was, and still is, one of my favourite wines from the Douro Valley in Portugal. It had everything, balances, tons of flavour, only 13.5% alcohol, and seemingly higher than normal acid for red wine from the Douro. You could say it was atypical, but I think it gives us a look at what is possible. I skipped the 2006, I thought it showed to many green characters, but Jamie Goode has just written it up and gave it 90. Now this 2007 is more typical of the what is becoming the classic Douro red: around 14.5 % alc, warm fruit, and the acid takes a back seat…
Niepoort Late Bottled Vintage 2004
I’ve been a bit all over the shop the last couple of weeks and things have been very quiet on the new release front. I’ve just got back from a conference on the Gold Coast (AusCERT, an IT Security thing, boring for the most part) just in time for it to bucket down and flood the place. I did however get a good meal in at The Rice Paddy, a Vietnamese joint on the main strip of Surfers that delivers with some top class duck. Most of the importers all seem to be landing all of their new stuff over the next couple of weeks, so there should be plenty to look at.
Altano 2003
This is a fairly cheap and very cheerful wine from the Symington group, who you might know as the makers of ports like Dows, Smith Woodhouse and Warres. A blend of Tinta Roriz (60%) and Touriga Franca (40%) from the hot 2003 vintage. As far as I can find out, there is no oak treatment here, and to be honest I don’t miss it at all.
Niepoort ‘Redoma’ Brancho 2007
Niepoort make some amazing red table wines, as well as some mind blowing ports, but I think it’s these Douro white wines that really show Dirk Niepoort’s skills and that the Douro isn’t a region just for the production of fortified wines. Its made from a a blend of Rabigato, Codega, Donzelinho, Viosinho and Arinto from 40 year old vines up on the top of part of the Douro valley. The thing that really sucks me in with this wine is its calm, subtle and fresh nature. You could almost swear it was a village white burgundy going by the texture, length and mouthfeel.
Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Brancho 2007
A quick note of this one, its designedfor drinking and enjoying with food and that’s just what I did. Again 2007 in Portugal is looking great.Also looks like a Diam cork in this which would be a bonus. Have a look at my note on the 2005 for more details.
meandro do vale meao 2006
As I mentioned the other week, this is the little brother to Quinta do Vale Meao. This one is a blend of 40% Touriga National, 30% Tinta Roriz, 20% Tinta Barroca, 10% Tinta Amarela. Now 2006 wasn’t the best vintage in the Douro, but this is a seriously good wine that is a great introduction to what Douro table wine is all about.
Quinta do Vale Meão 2005
I’ve been thinking about my favourite wines of the year over the past couple of weeks, and this features towards the top of the list. Considering that many of these top end portugese wines have only been available in Australia for 12 months or so, they have gained huge popularity and a loyal following with wine drinkers around Australia. This wine is at the top of the heap for me.
Alvaro Castro Dão Tinto 2007
Just a quick note on this one. This is Alvaro Castro’s entry level wine and I find that it’s the kind of wine that polorises people. It’s gamey and a bit wild, I find I need a couple of sips to get into it, but once I’m there I have a great time.
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