Quinta de Lubazim Grande Reserva 2008, DOC Douro, Portugal

 

 

This is the top wine, produced from this estate. A blend of 40% Touriga National, 30% Touriga Franca with the remaining 30% a mix of old-vine varietals, maturation taking place new French oak barrels of 200 and 300 litres for 12 months and alcohol comes in at 14%.

A beautiful nose on this wine, with aromas of ripe berry fruit, dried cherries, red currants, mocha, cigar box and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied almost creamy with a rich combination of fruit, burnt sugar and spice flavours, balanced acidity and fine grained-chewy tannins. The finish is long, intensely flavourful, smooth with a texture that is pure velvet. An old world wine which is more tailored to a new world palate, with a generous fruit concentration, lots of toasty oak but well integrated at this stage. Lots of everything but no excess, a Touriga National blend that is easy to enjoy. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased June 8, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (317073) at $28.95

Delaforce Touriga National 2009, DOC Douro, Portugal

 

 

Most Portuguese wines are a blend of different native grapes but this wine is made exclusively using Portugal's most famous red grape, Touriga Nacional. Maturation in French oak for 12 months and alcohol coming in at 14%.
 

This wine opened up with aromas of plum-blackberry fruit, black currants, spices, earthy and minerals notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with a rich combination of fruit, spices and bitter chocolate, balanced acidity and firm, dusty tannins. Loads of energy, power and concentration on the finish with a nice tannic grip lingering. Very interesting to try Touriga Nacional on its own, it give you a better idea what it brings in a blend; a deeper color, Cabernet Sauvignon like power and concentration and plenty of tannins for long term ageing. Very enjoyable, score 89 points.
 

Purchased April 13, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (324517) at $18.95



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 Dos Quatro Ventos Colheita 2008, Doc Douro, Portugal

This wine is a blend of traditional Port grapes (Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesca and Touriga Nacional) with maturation taking place in French and Russian oak for 1 year and alcohol coming in at 14%.

On the nose, this blend opened up with aromas of cherry, black fruit, sandalwood and, Moroccan spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, very youthful with ripe black fruit, balanced acidity and grainy tannins. Medium length on the finish, soft texture, almost sweet with light tannins lingering. This wine’s style is almost new world, very ripe, feels sweet even if the wine is listed as extra-dry, quite charming and easy drinking. I would buy this again, score 89 points.  

Purchased November 10, 2012 LCBO New Release (902742) at $24.95

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