Quinta dos Quatro Ventos, Douro DOC 2005 The smell is a mix of black fruits, brambles and earth. In the mouth there is minerality and tart fruit, the acidity making this great with roasted meats. At the same time, there is an integrated oaky richness and a sense of ripe tannins. The grapes are Tinta [...]

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Fâmega Vinho Verde Denominação de Origem Controlada Vinho Branco 2007 This is a personal favorite for lean white wine on a budget. There’s citrus in the nose and the petillance is quite palpable on this date, adding to the livliness.
Notes on the ‘06: Lean and green and pétillant – a great value example; petillance [...]

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Cossart Gordon Madeira 5 Years Old Malmsey nv
This is a rich style of Madeira from the Malvasia grape, known as Malmsey. P&B by the Madeira Wine Company in Funchal 19% $24.99 at Bottle Barn Cossart Gordon

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Cossart Gordon Madeira 5 Years Old Bual nv
This is a rich style of Madeira from the Bual grape, though not as sweet as Malmsey. P&B by the Madeira Wine Company in Funchal 19% $19.99 at Bottle Barn Cossart Gordon 

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Taylor Fladgate, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2001
Dried fruits such as prunes are a common theme with noticeable alcohol – true to type and sometimes the wine seems to have the alcohol integrated even better than usual, though most are not bothered by a little kick in their after-dinner beverage. Bottled in 2007 in Oporto, by [...]

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Blandy’s Madeira 10 Years Old Rich Malmsey nv
Last tasting notes show great complexity though the 5 year is a pretty good value. Again the wine is complex, nutty and shaped by the acidity that we expect from Madeira. A little spiritous to smell but the alcohol is integrated on the palate. Bring me some Rocquefort [...]

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Taylor Fladgate Porto Late Bottle Vintage 2000
Porty and pruny – w noticeable alcohol – true to type and sometimes the wine seems to have the alcohol integrated even better than usual. Bottled in 2006 in Oporto, by Taylor across in Vila Nova De Gaia. 20% $17.99 at Bottle Barn Taylor
Fonseca Porto 10 Year Old [...]

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Blandy’s Madeira 5 Year Old Malmsey nv
This wine is quite consistent in displaying complexity, sweetness and balancing acidity.  Again today’s bottle wraps caramel and butterscotch into a good value fortified dessert wine. For me it’s so good with Rocquefort. Produced and bottled by the Madeira Wine Company in Funchal 19% $23 for a full bottle [...]

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Tempranillo plays a key role in the Spanish region of Rioja and along the river Duero aka Douro on the other side of the border in Portugal. In the latter country Tempranillo goes by the name of Tinta Roriz or simply Roriz. This flight looks at Tempranillo in varying percentages from both countries [...]

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