2004 Casal dos Prazeres Douro Xara - Portugal, Douro (9/26/2006)Deep reddish color, with marroon tinge. Nose shows some violet that gives way to blackberry, smoke and light minerals. In the mouth the tannins are strong with a rich medium acidity. Dried out and showing only simple fruit the nose really is the star of the [...] More info at www.catavino.net...

2003 Quinta do Carrasqueiro Douro - Portugal, Douro (9/26/2006)12.5% alcohol - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta BarrocaDeep marroonish and very dark. On the nose wet slate, earth, leather, and white peppers, with black cherry and anise showing as it opens up. Strong acidity with medium weight tannins. The palate shows underripe raspberry flavors [...] More info...

So there's a decent little Portuguese joint in town with a pretty good selection of Portuguese wines. We ordered Casa Burmester Reserva 2002. It went pretty well with grilled fava beans. It also went well with beef. It's a pretty pungent wine--reminded me somewhat of Sangiovese. The wine is made with two Douro Demarcated Region grape varieties - Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. Lots of cassis...

A day's work in Porto

It was a pleasantly sunny afternoon when the gun went off to start the annual barco rabelo regatta on the Douro this past Sunday (we're going to be bouncing around in time a bit with these Portugal entries; bear with). I'd abandoned my usual ... [More...

The descent into Porto began with a bolt of lightning and a thunderclap. I know that airplanes can survive lightning strikes, but I still wonder. It's an inauspicious beginning to my third trip to the Douro Valley of Portugal. I'm curious as to how many of you have tried a 1...

I'm preparing for tomorrow's New Douro 2005 tasting by drinking some Douro wine. Specifically ... in the right sort of style, tasting of the Douro (or, at least, what I expect the Douro to taste like ... . Quinta Nova 'Grainha' 2005 Douro Very attractively packaged, this relatively modestly priced Douro ... Douro Aromatically fresh and vibrant, this has a really attractive nose of dark cherries, herbs...

Forum: Wine Talk Posted By: Eric LeVine Post Time: 11-19-2007 at 08:52 PM

Zooming down the Douro River at 35 knots provided relief from the noon-time heat. Vintner Joao Ferreira Alvares Ribeiro powered the boat across the placid water, sparing us the the twists and turns of the roads that curve through the valley. Whoever planted the first vines here must have been ... of work now score the vertiginous hillsides on either side of the river. The mighty Douro wends 600...

Julia Harding MW attends a Taylor Fladgate masterclass in single quinta ports.