Morrison’s does excellent port. Thus LBV port got a silver decanter medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2018. Rich and elegant its a wonderful cheap port that’s worth getting in by the case.
Morrison’s LBV port 2013
Quinta Do Couquinho, Reserva, 2020, Douro, Portugal
Another Douro red wine? Yep but that’s hardly a bad thing. Dry, medium bodied with plenty of red fruit flavours, grippy tannins that integrated well. It’s a good red wine.
Quinta Vale D Maria really knows how to make good red wine. This is pretty good although at £45 a bottle it should be. This is an issue as many people won’t try what is an excellent dry red wine. Red and black fruit are here in bucket loads, hints of strawberry and spice poke through with an under note of Vanilla. Its all very well integrated and make as a wonderful package.
Vinha do Fava, Reserva, 2021, Portugal
This family run vineyard produces a rather excellent red wine, primarily made from Touriga Nacional grape it’s dry, full bodied with plum, cherry and spices coming forward and lasting in the mouth. It’s smooth and subtle, quite beautiful. At £16 a bottle nicely priced too.
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.