Quinta De Ventozelo Reserva 2009, DOC Douro, Portugal

This wine is a blend of the usual Port grapes of Touriga Nacional 60%, Tinta Roriz 20% and Touriga Franca 20%, maturation 12 months in oak and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with a very aromatic bouquet of blackberry, cherry, stewed plum-rhubarb, dried herbs, vanilla and exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, ripe crushed berry fruit with lots of spices, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. Very good length and smooth, velvety texture on the finish with subtle fruit flavours, light minerals and spices. Here is a very youthful, well made and flavourful wine, ready to enjoy. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased April 13, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (021329) at $21.95

Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga Nacional 2008, Douro, Portugal

A very interesting wine here, although for me, it doesn’t scream Portugal. I often think of Portuguese wine as being bone dry, slightly rustic which, when done right, I find them to be pretty charming. In a blind tasting, I would have most likely picked a new world country like Argentina, Australia or California as this wine was made in a more “international” style. That being said, it is a well made full bodied wine that is unlikely to disappoint.

This wine is 100% Touriga Nacional, aging took place in oak barrel for 12 months. This wine opened up with aromas of black fruit, prunes, stewed plum, mocha, dried herbs and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14%), good weight, concentrated flavours, balance acidity and firm tannins. Very nice chewy tannins on the finish with flavours of dark fruit, cedar and minerals/crushed stone type flavours lingering. This is a flavourful wine that goes down easy, I would be more than happy to drink this again. score 90 points.
 

Purchased August 4, 2012 LCBO New Release (657452) at 18.95