Douro

Quinta do Crasto ‘Crasto’ 2005

This is the first, of many probably, Portugese wine I've tasted for Tinto y Blanco.  Spain remains my focus, but its good have something different from time to time.  I've had others in the past, I've even been to Portugal years ago on my first trip to Spain.  There is some Portugese wine around, but the guys at The Spanish Acquisition have recently landed their first commercial shipment and its a great range.  There are tastings of the range in most states over the next month or so, it really is worth while taking the time to have a look.

Quinta do Crasto is one of the leading makers of table wines in the Douro valley. It also has an aussie connection.  Dominic Morris is head of the winemaking team here, you might know him from his work at Pondalowie in Bendigo.  This wine is a blend of four grapes, Tinta Roriz (Portugese for Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Tourigas Franca and Nacional and sees no wood what so ever.  I drank this with a few friends, and opinions were split: two loved it and asked for a second bottle, the other two liked it but weren't that phased.   I like this a lot.

Dark purple/red in colour, the nose is a bit shy but shows plum and blueberry with some tobacco.  Like drinking velvet, lush tannins, ripe fruit and meaty juby fruit.  In the mouth its open an inviting a red and dark fruit jubes: plum, red currents and blueberry.   There is a cola element with some earthy spice layered over the fruit, but that fruit is the real attraction here.  A Perfect wine for late summer and autumn.   90 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $28 Closure: Conventional Cork