Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Portugal

Jennifer Havers

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Sandeman Quinta dos Carvailhas Late Bottled Vintage Port 2000, Douro, Portugal: An outstanding value for this lovely after-dinner drink!Rich plummy notes of prune and cassis preserves. 113878 20.50%  750 mL  $16.95 Score: 87/100. December 21, 2020 Full Review
Fonseca Porto Bin 27, Douro Valley, Portugal: This full-bodied dessert wine offers aromas and flavours of fleshy purple and black plums with blackberry liqueur. Layered and rich. Drink: 2018-2027. 325506 20% S 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 92/100. May 20, 2022 Best Value Red Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
José Maria da Fonseca Domini 2015, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: José Maria Da Fonseca`s Domini 2015 is a robust Douro red made mostly with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Francesa. Great price as well. Pair with roast duck. Drink: 2019-2024. 452730 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 10, 2021 Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Curvos Loureiro 2017, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: Light and citrusy with peach and light herbal flavours on the palate, Curvos 2017 is so pretty on the nose with ripe peach blossom and apricot. Produced from 100% Loureiro from the Vinho Verde wine region, delicious with light and fresh seafood dishes. Chill and enjoy all of its sun-shine goodness now. Drink: 2018-2020. 471284 12% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. January 5, 2019 Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Prova Cega 2017, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: A robust Portuguese red with dark plum, chocolate, fine dried herb aromas on the nose. dark cherry, red plum, mocha, anise and savoury spice flavours on the palate. Structured dusty tannins. Drink: 2019-2022. 446054 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. September 25, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Curvos Loureiro 2019, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: Produced from 100% Loureiro grapes from the Vinho Verde wine region, with aromas of lime, white florals and ripe peach on the nose. Slightly spritzy and vibrant with white florals, ripe melon and lime-lemon zest flavours that linger on the palate. Chill and enjoy on its own or pair with grilled sardines. Drink: 2020-2022. 471284 12% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 20, 2020 Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Fonseca Moscatel de Setubal 2012, Setubal D.O.P., Portugal Drink: 2020-2023. 14047 17.50% S 750 mL  $16.95. April 1, 2020 Full Review
Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva 2017, Lisboa, Portugal: Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva 2017 has colossal flavour with rich dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry, fine herbs and spice on the palate at not such a colossal price ($16). Powerful with rich tannins. Enjoy with a sausage cassoulet or game roasts. Drink: 2022-2024. 548867 14.20% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. July 10, 2022 Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Quinta do Crasto 2018, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: A juicy 30% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional and 10% Tinta Barroca red wine blend aged in older French barrels for six months. Fresh with wild red berry, cherry and spicy flavours weighty the palate with ripe dark cherry and baking spice flavour. Tannins are ripe and easy. Ready for the BBQ now! Drink: 2020-2028. 81588 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 88/100. January 21, 2021 Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Aveleda Loureiro Alvarinho 2019, Vinho Verde, Portugal Drink: 2021-2022. 89995 11% XD 750 mL  $15.95. August 19, 2021 Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Bicycle Thief Red Blend, Portugal, Portugal  18995 13% D 1500 mL  $15.75. July 8, 2021 Full Review
Vicente Faria Lisbon by Night Red Blend 2018, Douro, Portugal Drink: 2020-2022. 18998 13% MD 750 mL  $9.80. August 19, 2021 Full Review
Aveleda Vinho Verde 2019, Vinho Verde, Portugal: Ultra-crisp and refreshing Portuguese white wine made from the zingy, vibrant Vinho Verde grape. Green apple racy acidity for fresh seafood and shellfish. Light-bodied. Great value. Drink: 2021-2023. 5322 9.50% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 89/100. May 22, 2021 Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Arca Nova Vinho Verde 2019, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: Arca Nova 2019 is a great value, vegan-friendly Vinho Verde produced from Arinto de Bucelas, Loureiro and Trajadura white wine grapes indigenous to the wine region. Crisp and refreshing with crunchy green apple, white pepper and fine mineral flavours on the palate. Chill and enjoy on its own, but the wine also has wonderful food-friendly acidity and enough character to pair with periwinkles in black bean sauce. Drink: 2021-2023. 292029 10.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. May 22, 2021 Best Value White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Medeiros Rosé 2020, Alentejano, Portugal: Medeiros 2020 is an excellent value, bright, medium-bodied rosé made from Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Aragonez wine grapes. Floral on the nose with pink rose petals, bright and fresh on the palate with fresh red berry, cherry and soft orange citrus flavours. Chill and enjoy it with a grilled salmon steak. Drink: 2021-2022. 451385 12.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 22, 2021 Best Value Rosé Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
José Maria da Fonseca Domini 2018, Douro D.O.P., Portugal: From the Douro wine region, José Maria da Fonseca Domini 2018 is a rich and robust red wine blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa and excellent value at $17. Look for ripe dark cherry, earthy florals, fresh mushroom, fine herbs and toasty oak spice flavours generous and vibrant on the palate. Pour with roast duck. Drink: 2022-2026. 452730 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. February 19, 2022 Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Quinta do Crasto 2019, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: Crasto 2019 is always a crowd pleaser and great value at $20. Produced from equal amounts of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, with 10% Tinta Barroca, aged in neutral oak barrels for six months. Concentrated and elegant with dark cherry, crushed red berries, baking spice, earthy and savoury herb flavours balanced and lingering on the palate. Tannins are velvety. Pour with meat and vegetable kebabs from the grill. Drink: 2022-2028. 81588 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. December 3, 2022 Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Aveleda Alvarinho 2021, Vinho Regional Minho, Minho, Portugal: A lovely Alvarinho from Aveleda and great value at $16. Dry, light bodied, crisp with fresh apple, pear, herbs and briny mineral flavours creamy on the palate. This northern Portuguese white wine is a Colheita Selecionada, single vineyard special selection wine from the winery's estate vineyards from the Monção and Melgaço sub-region. Excellent now! Drink: 2022-2023. 610295 12% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. November 19, 2022 Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Periquita Reserva 2020, Setúbal, Portugal: From José Maria da Fonseca, Setúbal Periquita Reserva 2020 is produced from sustainably grown Castelão, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca grapes and is amazing value at $19. The wine is fresh and plushy with ripe black fruits, black currant, dark cherry, savoury herbs and smoky, spicy flavours generous on the palate. Tannins are structured. Drink or hold. Drink: 2023-2027. 48807 13.20% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 6, 2023 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
José Maria da Fonseca Domini 2019, Douro D.O.P., Portugal Drink: 2022-2026. 452730 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95. March 30, 2023 Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Aveleda Loureiro 2020, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: From the Vinho Verde wine region, Aveleda 2020 Loureiro is amazing value at $14. The wine is fragrant with grapefruit, lime zest, white florals, fine herb, white pepper and minerally flavours spritzy and citrus zesty on the palate. Chill and enjoy it with a fresh seafood paella, and an absolutely perfect pairing to this wine. Drink: 2023-2024. 646067 11.40% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. October 6, 2023 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

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