Herdade De Comporta, Rosé, 2021, Portugal
It had to happen one day, a Portuguese wine that failed to impress. Unfortunately this rose from Herdade De Comporta is non descript on all fronts. Aromas and flavours are lacking, there’s a tartness and acidity but nothing to recommend it. Sorry, it’s a shame as the colour is pleasant. At eur24 a bootle is a definite no from me.
Adega Ponte de Lima, Rosé, Portugal
It’s hard to get a bad bottle of Portuguese wine in the UK and while this is acceptable its not inspiring. Sure at £10 a bottle it’s decent enough value. Dry, crisp with some red fruit flavours it’s a drinking wine in the summer at the BBQ. Don’t over think it and you’ll be back for another glass.
Casal de Ventozela, Vinho Verde, 2022, Portugal
Casal de Ventozela, Vinho Verde is almost the perfect rose wine for the summer. For me it has more than a Provence rose which is welcome but there is something missing. Dry, crisp with flavours of cranberry and raspberry it’s excellent value for £10 a bottle. I would like a bit more subtle flavours but it’s £10 so what can you expect.
It got 86 points and a bronze medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 which is a bit mean. Personally I think 90 points and a Silver is more like it.
Aluado, Alicante Bouschet, 2021, Portugal
Thus is one of fruitiest wines I have tasted this year with huge amounts of black fruit with a velvet texture. It’s a bit like Ribena for adults which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but the structure and finess is lacking. At £11 a bottle it’s not an outrageous price but there are better fruitier wines under £10.
Croft Quinta da Roeda, Vintage Port, 2004, Portugal
I love port and vintage port is the best. This single quinta vintage by Croft is pretty good. Vintage port is softer and much more delicate than your average Ruby Port. Its soft, with flavours of blackcurrant and plum, chocolate, vanilla, raisins and excellent integration.
At £20 a bottle it’s great value and a great choice for winter evenings.
Tanner’s, Patrono Fine Ruby Port, Portugal
Tanner’s, Patrono Fine Ruby Port from Portugal it’s a standard good quality Port it’s not amazing but then at £12 a bottle you’ve got to be realistic on what you’re getting. There are flavours of plum and blackberry and a decent length on the taste.
I’m not sure if this is is any better or any worse the many at this price bracket. I still think that the Graham’s six grape what is that is a bit better only £2-£3 more.
Herdade, Grand Reserva, 2006, Portugal
Made with a blend of Touriga National and Syrah this Grand Reserva from Herdade is Pretty good, sure at £25 a bottle is not cheap but there is quality. It’s a bold wine with plenty of tannins, very dry with massive flavours of plum, blackcurrant, vanilla, oak and chocolate coming through. There are hints of leather and smokiness that are all really well integrated and after 16 years it’s incredibly drinkable.
Dows, Late Bottled Vintage Port, 1997, Portugal
A bottle of Dows, Late Bottled Vintage Port, from Portugal is probably standard in many British households at Christmas and this year we opened a 1997 bottle. I know that a late bottled vintage port is not the same as leaving a vintage port, this basically got left behind.
That said it tastes exactly what it should taste like i. It was smooth, it had some really good plum, red, black fruit flavours, nice sweetness in there and it really well with the cheese and biscuits course, so much so that the whole bottle went. And the best thing is at about £8 a bottle at the supermarkets a Dows port is good value
Herdade Penedo Gordo, Monte Penedo Gordo, Reserva, 2014, Portugal
Bold, dry and reasonably smooth this is another good red wine from Portugal. You get lots of aroma, black fruit, oak, earthy with hints of leather. The flavour is pretty full on with spice and vanilla joining lots of fruit with a decent finish and good blance.
Ar Eur15 a bottle its on the mark for value. Its a good posh BBQ wine.
Smith Woodhouse, 1988, Madalena, Vintage Port, Portugal
I love port, esp vintage port and this Smith Woodhouse 33 year port is pretty good. There’s aromas of leather, black cherry, chocolate and spice with additional flavours plum, blackberry, toffee and a silk like texture.
Late bottle vintage and normal port are more velvet in texture, this is more delicate but with plenty of depth. Its not in the same league as a Grahams or Taylors vintages of the 70’s or 80’s but its well worth trying.