• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Caspernick's Blog

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Caspernick's Blog

Tag Archives: Douro

Quevedo Family Alegria Vineyard Touriga Nacional 2018, Douro, Portugal

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$19, 5 stars, 90 points, Douro, Naked Wines, portugal, Touriga Nacional


Deep purple colored it stains the walls and has a slight bluish tinge on the edges.  On the nose it is very heady with aromas of dark, ripe blueberry, black currants, blue plum, violets, mint and a touch of oak by way of baking spices and chocolate powder.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and high tannins that are fine grained.  This full bodied wine has plenty going on flavorwise.  Blueberry, cacao, blackcurrant, plum, florals and some spices.  The question of balance comes into mind as the alcohol (15% ABV) is noticeable on the nose and the mid palate.  I will get over it but buyer beware.  The finish is medium in length and blue fruited.  The tannins having vanished, leaving a touch of refreshing acidity.  The Douro Valley and this varietal, Touriga Nacional are well known to Port lovers worldwide.  They make delicious and full throttle fortified wines, so having ripe, sun-drenched grapes to make a still wine is not an issue.  The results are in this bottle- a yummy delight to pair with hearty dishes.  Mine is Steak and Ale pie tonight but it will do well with grilled leg of Lamb or even Osso Bucco.  I would drink this wine till 2030, it has the structure needed to cellar.  90 points (the slight imbalance alcohol cost a point) and for $19- 5 stars.  Look for this wine or even this varietal and region when you are searching for something new.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Quinta Das Carvalhas Tinto 2017, Douro, Portugal

18 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$16, 5 stars, 91 points, Douro, portugal, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, touring nacional


A blend of 60% Touriga Nacional with the balance between Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) from the Douro, it is medium to deep purple colored.  The nose has a bit of heat initially but then I get aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, saddle leather, vanilla, a touch of raisin and star anise. The palate is dry with medium (+) tannins and medium acidity.  Think black tea meets charcoal with a melange of very sun-ripened black fruits.  It’s a full bodied wine that sports a hefty 14.5% ABV (which I noticed on the nose) and carries through to a medium length finish.  For $16 this is a delicious wine that will cellar well till 2028 and drink nicely now if you like a touch of dryness.  91 points and 5 stars.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Quinta do Crasto Superior 2016, Douro, Portugal

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$24, 2 stars, 86 points, Douro, portugal, sousao, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, touring nacional


I am a fan of Portuguese reds- I find them to offer high value for the money.  This Superior from the Douro is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca, 20%  Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 5% Sousao.  It is deep ruby with medium intensity aromas of stewed plums (prunes), green pepper, white pepper, dried blackberry, dried sage and a nuttiness.  I felt the wine is still developing.  On the palate it is dry with medium (+) tannins, medium acidity, medium alcohol and medium body.  The medium intensity flavors of prunes, dried sage and blackberry coupled with the nutty component led to a short finish.  I was underwhelmed by this ‘acceptable’ wine that should be drunk now, with no further aging.  It runs $24 locally and gets a mere 86 points from me making it a 2 star effort.

PS. tasting from a second bottle revealed the possibility that this wine was corked and the scores and reviews were deflated from the performance expected of this wine that scored highly with the pros.

Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Quinta da Foz Reserva 2017, Douro, Portugal

12 Saturday Mar 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$30, 5 stars, 93 points, Douro, portugal, tempranillo, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional


I really enjoy Portuguese wines, from the sweet dessert Ports to the crisp white Alvarinos to the beautifully meshed red blends of the Douro.  Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo) make up this wine that is a deep ruby in the glass.  The nose is awesome- black plum, blackberry, currants, charred wood, black cherry, licorice, vanilla and coconut.  The palate is delicious, tart with juicy acidity and dry.  The tannins are quite evident but they caress rather than attack the gums.  The astringency hits a bit later on the mid palate.  Pronounced flavors of black fruit, oak and licorice swirl across the palate and end up in a long finish that is quite tannic at this stage and definitely amazing.  Full bodied, this is a wine meant for the long haul and will pair nicely with my Beef Kebabs- spiced with a dry rub and served with salad.  93 points for this $30 wine makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Cockburn’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2015, Portugal

08 Tuesday Mar 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$20, 5 stars, 91 points, Douro, port, portugal


A deep shade of purple in the glass this opaque Port has got a pretty intense nose.  Aromas of cooked plum, stewed blackberry, raisins, mixed nuts and a fresh grape note- interesting.  The palate is lush with stewed black fruit, currant extract, a nutty component and that zingy fresh grape note I got on the nose.  The wine packs some heat- I can. feel the burn just ever so much.  Very smooth and integrated tannins balance out the medium (-) acidity.  The wine is obviously considered full-bodied- it simply coats the mouth with dark fruit lashings with a dryness from the structural tannins.  The finish is quite long and puckering.  Delicious stuff to sip with some stinky cheese or a chocolate dessert.  Reasonably priced at $20, this 91 point fortified wine needs to be in every bar.  It gets 5 stars from me.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Casa Ferreirinha Esteva Tinto 2016, Douro, Portugal

08 Tuesday Mar 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

88 points, Douro, portugal, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional


Medium opacity, this blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca is a stunning ruby color in the glass with singular, yet thick legs.  On the nose it is of medium intensity with aromas like black raspberry, red plum, violet, cinnamon, coconut and dried herbs.  The palate is dry with mouth coating tannins that are medium strength to go along with the medium (-) acidity.  Flavors of red and black fruit combined with a dusty earthiness, floral notes, and some oak influence make for an interesting taste.  The wine is medium bodied with the tannins fading rapidly on the back end.  The finish is short but tasty.  There is a black tea component right at the end that I like.  Overall- this 88 pointer gets 4 stars for is $10 price point and ability to pour easily on a weekday with burgers or other non-exotic fare.  I like it.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Vicente Faria Gloria Tinto Reserva 2016, Douro, Portugal

20 Tuesday Aug 2019

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 3 stars, 89 points, Douro, portugal


Good rich purple color with a faint showing of legs in the glass.  On the nose- blackberry cassis, charcoal and cedar.  On the palate I get dark fruit compote, coffee bean and a touch of tannin.  The mid palate is all Ribena alongside the very slight tannins.  The finish has a more blueberry note to it, with toasty wood and the last vestiges of the tannic component.  A very nice, easy drinking wine that gets 89 points from me.  Drink till 2024 with grilled meats.  3 stars for this $15 blend.  Pairing with grilled Tri-Tip roast and patty-pan squash.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

P+S Prats & Symington Post Scriptum de Chryseia 2016, Douro, Portugal

04 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$25, 5 stars, 92 points, Douro, portugal, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional


This is the second wine of Chryseia, it is a beautiful dark purple in the glass.  The nose gives off rose petals, perfume, black currant and cedar slate.  On the palate it is big- loads of Ribena, oregano, red licorice and a hint of wood.  The mid palate is seamless with the introduction of some very lithe tannins.  The mouthfeel is generous and warm in this wine.  It is relatively easy drinking with the mild tannins, barely perceptible acidity and warm fruit. The finish is all black currant, decent in length and not overly dry.  92 points and 5 stars for this $25 effort.  Delicious.  Drink this blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz till 2030.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Quinta do Vallado Tinto 2013, Douro, Portugal

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$14, 1 star, 83 points, Douro, portugal


I really look forward to Portuguese wines.  I normally find them to be full of flavor, with good structure and interesting profiles.  This one was on sale for $14 and relied heavily on past vintage points awarded.  It starts off very promising with a rich deep purple in the glass.  Nose of bramble, blackberry and earth.  The palate is initially a little light for me.  Black cherry, more blackberry but that’s about it.  The mid palate is one dimensional, offering a dusty blackberry note and not much else.  The finish is slightly dry with some tannins finally appearing.  This wine is too thin for me, not extracted enough and lacks any long term cellaring.  I don’t think it is a repeat purchase.  83 points and 1 star from me.  Salut….

vallado douru

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Quinta do Crasto ‘Crasto’ 2015, Douro, Portugal

13 Saturday May 2017

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$17, 90 points, Douro, portugal, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional


Really bright opaque purple in the glass.  The nose is inky with a touch of plum.  The palate starts off with plums, a raisin component and some oak.  A deft hand has been at work here with the tannins, they are powerful yet well integrated.  There is a freshness that I am enjoying on the mid palate along with the dryness of the tannins.  A finish of bright blueberry, tannins and a touch of heat carries on for a while.  Surprising really as this wine only weighs in at 13.5 %.  A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and some Tinta Barroca.  It is actually very yummy and will rock the pork tenderloins roasting in the oven with onions and some sautéed Kale.  I’m going 90 points on this one.  Paid $17 which makes it a 4 star wine.  I have always thought of Portuguese wine as being very tasty, affordable and a go to if in a pinch.  Salut….

Quinta do Crasto 'Crasto', Douro, Portugal

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 288 other subscribers
Follow Caspernick's Blog on WordPress.com

Archives

Blogs I Follow

  • Finger Lakes Connected
  • the drunken cyclist
  • The Bubbly Professor
  • grapefriend
  • Drink What YOU Like

Blog at WordPress.com.

Finger Lakes Connected

the drunken cyclist

I have three passions: wine, cycling, travel, family, and math.

The Bubbly Professor

Excellent Adventures in Wine and Spirits Education

grapefriend

grapefriend. wine. fun.

Drink What YOU Like

  • Follow Following
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Join 177 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: