Quinta das Carvalhas
Douro Red Blend
Douro, Portugal
Tasted alongside the 2018 and this is a totally different animal. Must have been the late season rains because this is a lot lighter and much more mellow. The fruits are more prevalent and red, but the acids are all gone. Still has some vanilla and spices, but in the whole, not as good as 2018.
Tasted alongside the 2018 and this is a totally different animal. Must have been the late season rains because this is a lot lighter and much more mellow. The fruits are more prevalent and red, but the acids are all gone. Still has some vanilla and spices, but in the whole, not as good as 2018.
Oct 29th, 2022This wine is a total bargain. Great stuff for the price! Was told there is something like 42 different varietals in this, which is hard to believe… ah well, here we go:
Smells of dried fruits, vanilla, and baking spices. Extremely dry, with strong acidity. Still maintains its medium body. Very dark flavors of dark cherries, blackberries, tar, and plenty of earth.
This wine is a total bargain. Great stuff for the price! Was told there is something like 42 different varietals in this, which is hard to believe… ah well, here we go:
Smells of dried fruits, vanilla, and baking spices. Extremely dry, with strong acidity. Still maintains its medium body. Very dark flavors of dark cherries, blackberries, tar, and plenty of earth.
Drank 3/19/19 over 2 nights.
Nose and flavors of blackberry, tar, and earth. Modifying my previous score as this was a bit less expressive and a touch more muddy than my previous tasting. Still, a very nice value.
3/21/7/4/3 +50= 88 pts.
Drank 3/19/19 over 2 nights.
Nose and flavors of blackberry, tar, and earth. Modifying my previous score as this was a bit less expressive and a touch more muddy than my previous tasting. Still, a very nice value.
3/21/7/4/3 +50= 88 pts.
Last of the holiday wine trip, procured from Total Wine. This is a Portuguese red wine blend from the Douro wine region. The region is known mainly for ports, however, it does produce unfortified red wine. This bottle is a Bordeaux style medium body wine composed of 60-20-20 of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. The Nacional provides the structure and body, the Franca provides the bouquet, and the Tinta (or more commonly Tempranillo) allows the wine to bring in the smoke and oak from barrel aging. This wine drinks easily with a nice nose and attractive price point. ~$14 | #totalwine #douro #portugueseredblend
On the eyes: Deep dull violet, magenta rim, med stain, med legs, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Smoke, bitter citrus, oak, cocoa nibs, violet, black fruit. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: Med acid, med+ alcohol, med+ tannin, med body. Prunes and black currant, floral notes, earth, and smoke. Med finish. Not too complex. Decant this one!
Last of the holiday wine trip, procured from Total Wine. This is a Portuguese red wine blend from the Douro wine region. The region is known mainly for ports, however, it does produce unfortified red wine. This bottle is a Bordeaux style medium body wine composed of 60-20-20 of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. The Nacional provides the structure and body, the Franca provides the bouquet, and the Tinta (or more commonly Tempranillo) allows the wine to bring in the smoke and oak from barrel aging. This wine drinks easily with a nice nose and attractive price point. ~$14 | #totalwine #douro #portugueseredblend
On the eyes: Deep dull violet, magenta rim, med stain, med legs, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Smoke, bitter citrus, oak, cocoa nibs, violet, black fruit. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: Med acid, med+ alcohol, med+ tannin, med body. Prunes and black currant, floral notes, earth, and smoke. Med finish. Not too complex. Decant this one!
Nice blend of dark, dry flavors
Nice blend of dark, dry flavors
2 people found it helpfulJul 27th, 2021
Not a shy wine. The dark fruit, spicy saddle wood, and sweet smoke present themselves quickly on the nose and palate. Smooth tannins balance out the medium+ body. Please don't tell your friends Portuguese wines taste this good. Seriously...don't ruin this for the rest of us.
Not a shy wine. The dark fruit, spicy saddle wood, and sweet smoke present themselves quickly on the nose and palate. Smooth tannins balance out the medium+ body. Please don't tell your friends Portuguese wines taste this good. Seriously...don't ruin this for the rest of us.
2 people found it helpfulNov 8th, 2015
Really enjoyed this wine. Had the 2020 reserva in November of 2023. Some currant and tobacco were there. Was fruity and acidic but the tannins on the end eliminated the acidity. Drinks surprisingly light for its color and bouquet. Paired with a Portuguese Madeira creamy chicken. Went really well with the cream and cheese. Would drink this one again in a heartbeat.
Really enjoyed this wine. Had the 2020 reserva in November of 2023. Some currant and tobacco were there. Was fruity and acidic but the tannins on the end eliminated the acidity. Drinks surprisingly light for its color and bouquet. Paired with a Portuguese Madeira creamy chicken. Went really well with the cream and cheese. Would drink this one again in a heartbeat.
1 person found it helpfulNov 8th, 2023Drank 2/21/19. Tasting event. Tasting pour.
Soil and black fruit on the lighter nose. Very smooth, dark flavors of blackberry, black cherry soil, and tar. Medium, very well integrated tannins. An incredible value for those looking for a big old world red.
3/21/8/5/3 +50 =90 pts.
Drank 2/21/19. Tasting event. Tasting pour.
Soil and black fruit on the lighter nose. Very smooth, dark flavors of blackberry, black cherry soil, and tar. Medium, very well integrated tannins. An incredible value for those looking for a big old world red.
3/21/8/5/3 +50 =90 pts.
Inky, delicious, earthy, well-balancedn
Inky, delicious, earthy, well-balancedn
1 person found it helpfulFeb 18th, 2016