93 Points - Tyto alba Merlot DOC Do Tejo 2014“This richly structured wine comes from the the state-owned Companhia das Lezirias, the largest estate in Portugal. With equestrian events, wine, olive oil and an ecological sanctuary just east of Lisbon, the property merits a visit. Named for the barn owl that nests in estate forests, the wine is opulent, dense and packed with tannins and ripe black fruits. Give it time, at least until late 2018.”
90 Points - Águia Moura em Vinhas Velhas Reserva DOC Douro 2014“With minty wood flavors, this wine is smooth and polished. It offers berry fruits from the blend of 10 varieties in this old-vine vineyard. With spice and some firm tannins in the background, it is ready to drink.” EDITORS' CHOICE
90 Points - Maria Papoila Escolha Vinho Verde DOC 2016“While still light, this Vinho Verde has a creamy texture and a sense of richness. It blends two of the quality grapes of the region, Alvarinho and Loureiro. Together they make an aromatic, intense and tangy wine that is ready to drink.” BEST BUY
90 Points - Toucas Alvarinho Vinho Verde DOC 2016“Pure Alvarinho from the north of the Vinho Verde region makes this a smooth, ripe wine. It is perfumed, stylish and with a good balance between acidity and refreshing green and white fruitiness. Drink the wine now.”
89 Points - Andreza Reserva White DOC Douro 2016“This is a 50-50 blend of Viosinho and Verdelho, giving a rich wine with touches of vanilla as well as ripe white stone fruits. Its youth and exuberant fruit need to calm down and integrate better. It will be a rich wine from 2018.”
88 Points - Andreza Códega do Larinho DOC Douro 2016“The Códega de Larinho grape produces a crisp style of wine that shows up well in the warm conditions of the region. With its delicious fresh character and blend of apple and grapefruit flavors, this light wine is ready to drink.
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88 Points - Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas White DOC Douro 2016“This is a field blend from old white vines. It has a tight, tangy texture to go with its rich fruits. The concentration and intense minerality are part and parcel of the old vines and the schist soil. It has a cool feeling, crisp and tight at the end. Drink from 2018.
”
88 Points - Tyto alba White DOC Do Tejo 2016“This wood-fermented wine is full of ripe yellow fruits that are cut by the acidity. It is dense with spice and a generous texture. The richness is balanced by the citrus acidity and the mineral edge. Age the wine for another year and drink from 2018.”
87 Points - Album Regional Alentejano 2014“Produced in the vineyards of Estremoz, the marble capital of Portugal, this wine is a ready-to-drink blend of red fruits and soft tannins. A juicy character gives it a crisp aftertaste. Drink the wine now.” BEST BUY
86 Points - Monte da Baía Rose Regional Pen. Setúbal 2016“A crisp, caramel-and red-fruit-flavored blend of Castelão, Touriga Nacional and Syrah, this is ready to drink. Produced at Casa Ermelinda Freitas winery, it has a salty edge from the nearby ocean, finishing with
plenty of acidity.
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86 Points - Samora White Regional Tejo 2016“A blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto, this fruity wine is deliciously refreshing and crisp, with great acidity. It is bright with lemon acidity finished with pink grapefruit. Drink now.”
86 Points - Samora Red Regional Tejo 2015“This wine is firm, with extracted tannins that give a bitter, dark-chocolate edge. Underneath await black fruits, acidity and a crisper edge. Drink from 2018.”
Cheers!
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