Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro Vinhas do Sabor

Purchased for ~$20. As I mentioned in my last post, I found Quinta Vale D. Maria wines at a new wine store and wanted to try through their offerings. Dark, almost opaque garnet in color. Notes of smoke, graphite, leather and crushed red fruits. There's a hint of sweetness on the palate that makes me think vanilla from the oak aging (this saw oak for about 2 years). Dusty strawberry and hints of baking spices. Juicy acidity and firm but …

Busy nose, lift, smoke, powdered graphite, mosel gray slate, herbals and hints of red cherry fruit, palate shows red crunchy fruited profile, cherry and cranberry come to mind, the acidity is robust along with the generous powdery tannins. Makes your mouth pucker and grip, saline quality to the finish. Old school, reminds me of a northern rhone syrah in some respect. theres good depth to the fruit but, its hard to notice because the acidity is so pronounced. This would …

14% vol Deep ruby, less purple Good nose. Focused feel, attractive and integrated, soft woody notes, gently fragrant, and some understated blue floral character. Feels ripe and creamy. More density here, creamier too, very spicy! A little sandy/grainy texture, some tannic grip. Intense, with some heat and obvious power. Medium-bodied, balanced fruity style.