posted by drud
posted by drud
Arenae Ramisco 2004 Color medium transparent with copper egdes. Huge bouquet of red cherries, dark chocolate, stone fruit, moist cellar and red meat. The taste is well structured, with notes of dark cherries and ink followed by a long finish where the tannins clear of the teeth. The well defined acidity of this wine makes me think of the characteristics of Nebbiolo. Wonderful. Locally bought at 9 €, 92P
There is a rare match between Portuguese seafood and their Vinho verde (green wine). Vinho verde is produced in Minho, Portugal's most northern wine region, where a number of less-known white grapes thrive. Of these, the most known include loureiro, trajadura, arinto and alvarinho (albariño in spain). Green wines are fresh, often with low alcohol (10-12%) and are excellent companions to seafood.
It took, therefore, only a brief look at the wine menu to pair up a delightful seafood lunch at the coastline of Lisbon (Caparica).
Alvarinho Deu la Deu 2008 is from the subregion Monção and entirely produced on alvarinho.
Color transparent with an olive-green tone and natural-occurring bubbles. Nose of green apples and hints of lime. The taste is simple and dry with fresh acidity which makes up a long apple finish. 87P
posted by drud
posted by drud
Yesterday's best (wine) experience was clearly the Aranae 2002 Ramisco. I had no idea that this wine also was made to drink this young. This bottle only come 50Cl and with an annualy production of 6000 bottles. I ordered the bottle mainly to satisfy my curiosity on ramisco, while preparing a mind talk on how this bottle perhaps should had been stored 40 more years before opening. After a slight sip, all prepared defense lines vanished. Aranae appears to made for drinking now, and I do sincerely recommend this wine. Notes to come..
posted by drud
Yesterday I had a new Portuguese wine, in what could be called ”seek and try out” for good christmas wine.
First up Aveleda’s red ”Charamba” from Douro, but the taste of this wine was simply not of my liking, ”Sharp, moulded, and alcoholic”.
Instead we turned to Alentejo to try Mouras de Arraiolos 2007, grande escolha.
I have often visited the lovely little village of Arriolos in Alentejo, because it hold one of Portugals gastronomic gems, the resturant ”moagem”. However, I had never tried this wine from same village. Mouras de Arraiolos is produced on, Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Alicante bouschet, aged for 12 months on new french oak.
Nose with hints of dark berries, spices, peat/tar, vanilia, cut grass and mint. Beautiful structure, well balanced and a good tannin bite to leave the mouth dry. Great food wine, 12€, locally bought. 90P
posted by drud
First Chrismas wine was Niepoorts PN project which i had been wanting to taste for long, mainly driven by the big question - does it taste like burgundy?
The wine is medium dark (darker than french PN), and has a nose of dark red berries, spices and cigarbox wood. It has an elegant light structure, which first appears a bit creamy, then turning into a sweet smoky aftertaste. As for the big question (Burgundy or not) the answer is no. The nuances were few and we are in the new world PN style. However, to me, there was a Portuguese (spicy/herbs) signature in it, which i have tasted in many other Douro wines. I enjoyed the lightness, the aftertaste and the experiment. 92P
posted by drud
