Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: 'This rich, black-fruited wine has solid tannins that are balanced by a dense texture. A blend of fruit from different regions of Portugal and with five different grapes, the wine is still a little young. As its texture softens, this will be a smooth wine. $14.'

Wine Enthusiast 91/100 - BEST BUY ($14). My notes: My favorite of the three S&S reds: the original Red Blend, the new Spice Road Intense Red, and this Silk Route Smooth Red. The new White Blend is pretty tasty too. This is the least sweet of the reds, has the best acidity, and the most aroma and flavor range. It's indeed smooth, but not sweet. The finish is lasting. 91/100.

2019: Touriga franca, tinta barroca, tinta roriz. Dark and fruity. Not syrupy sweet though. Douro ripe, black. Good acid. Fine tannin. Balanced. 91/100.

Northern Portugal's Douro River flows west from the Spanish border and empties into the Atlantic at Oporto. Long famous for it fortified wine, Port, it has turned increasingly to table wine production in view of declining consumer interest in strong wines. Tinta roriz, tinta barocca, touriga franca, touriga nacional; aged in vats. Fresh and sweet, led by roriz. Abundant too. Again, sweet fruited, Douro warm. There's a light measure of tannin grip in back. Well textured, balanced, priced. Broadbent knows Portugal. 91+/100.

Tasting Panel 92: 'Shows delicious red and black fruit tones with excellent purity and proportion. Wisely released with some bottle age, it's ready to rip as an amazingly complete wine for its price point.'

Dark red black. Deep, sweet, and reserva well endowed. Rich, round, powerful but not too. Now here's a generous wine for the money. More bouquet to come but no obdurate tannins to preclude current service. Will stock. 91+/100.

Douro large, powerful, generous. Douro lush. Big time black fruit concentrate delivery. I smell a deal. Indeed, full flavored and textured. Chewy extract. Sweet and mouthfilling fruit. Good acid. Fine tannin adds texture Competes with Douros at twice the price and more. Amazing value. 92/100.

60% touriga nacional, 25% tinta roriz, 15% touriga franca; 50-80 year old vines; foot pressed in granite lagares. Substantial yet also elegant. The class of nacional. Old vines depth and breadth of aromatic profile. Yes, elegant all the way. Mary's style superimposed on what are often obdurate tintos from this area. Bravo. This is very well priced indeed. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91; Parker 90: 'The 2020 Meandro do Vale Meao is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Roriz and dollops of Tinta Barroca and Alicante Bouschet for the rest, all aged in used French oak for 14 months. It comes in at 14.2% alcohol. This was in bottle about a month when seen. In the tough vintage, this doesn't seem to miss a beat. It's fresh, understated, elegant and full of great fruit. It has ripe tannins for support and some ability to age too. Most of all, it's another nice bargain in this consistent brand. Drink now-2032. $24.'

2021: Wine Enthusiast 92/100. My notes: Touriga franca, touriga nacional, tinta roriz; 80% from vines planted in the 1990s; 20% from 60 to 100 year old vines; 30% aged in seasoned French oak barrels. Dark red violet. Black fruited to the core. One solid Douro tinto. Shows barrel age, seasoning complex. Surprisingly smooth and accommodating on the palate. Sweet fruited. Just the right degree of power for balance. Will take to beef and lamb right now. Fine tannin to see it through to bottle bouquet development. 92+/100.

40% touriga nacional, 30% touriga franca, 20% tinta roriz, 10% sousao. Aged a year in seasoned American and French oak barrels. That's a reserva nose. Not so much 'woody' as tempered by aging in barrels. Douro large, powerful. Yes, the power and the barrel complexity fully evident on the palate too. Some drying tannins to resolve yet. Well composed, so will age well. 91+/100.

2020: Est. 1990; 40% alfrocheiro, 30% each touriga nacional, aragonez. A little 2020 taut compared to the fruit forward 2019 of late. Deep seated, classic Dao granite core surrounded by black fruits., with become more revealing following aeration. Medium bodied. Richer and more accessible than the nose suggests. The palate's more in tune with the 2019. After waiting decades for the storied good-value Portuguese reds to trickle into the market, we now enjoy a surfeit of riches. 91+/100.

The Dao region lies in north central Portugal south of the Douro. The soil is mainly granitic in origin. 35% each touriga nacional, tinta roriz, 30% alfrocheiro. Jolly color. The right combo of fresh, cool, dark fruit and Dao terroir. That granite based minerality. Oh, yeah, we have a Dao classic on our hands. At a bargain price. Acid, mineral, dryness, mealworthiness. 91/100.

Touriga nacional, jaen, alfrocheiro. Aged eight months in heavily toasted barrels. Holding youthful color. Dao minerality. Solid granite foundation. Nice and dry and neat in cool 2021. Not as overtly fruity as the 2020.Charred wood extras; shades of bourbon. Sweetens up on the palate. Solid Dao structure. Rich fruit up front, mineral foundation in support. Less tannin and more acid than the delicious 2020. Same winemaker's hand, different growing season conditions. Very long, balanced finish. A worthy successor and equally awesome value. 92/100. Liked by many attendees and considered ready to drink.

60% touriga nacional, 40% tinta roriz. Terraced vineyards on granite in the high altitude Seia sub zone. Wow, that's full, that's big time Dao saturated with granite minerality. Just as full and granitic on the palate. Like licking a tombstone. That mineral core surrounded by plenty of fruit. Ample fruit presence in body, texture, and flavor of the class varietals. Of course, that's what Mary is looking for. Shows the way. Got to stock this one. 92+/100.

Beira Interior lies east of Dao and butts up against the Spanish border. 90% roriz, 10% jaen (mencia). 8 months in barrels, 1/3 French oak, 2/3 American oak. Fresh, dark, and youthful compared to the previous vintage on the market. 2021 lift. More intricate varietal aromas over barrel influence. Oh, but there's lots of barrel suavity and spicy savors. Good acid too. Say, this is special, and a fine representative of its DO. Got to have it. Lasting finish. 93/100.

Lisboa's multi-faceted winegrowing zones surround Portugal's capital and the mouth of the Tejo (Tagus) River midway along the country's length. Sweet fruited too. Less powerful and intense than the Douro that preceded it. Great acid. Vital, bright, uplifting. Perfectly fresh at age four. With plenty of fruit substance too. Impressive degree of elegance. 91/100.

40% each syrah, castelao, 20% touriga nacional. Rich color, rich noses. Delivers popularity. Has form too. Yes, frame, texture, filling. Not sweet. Complete value. 91/100.

2019: Dark ruby. Power, presence, fruit, filling. Yes, a big mouthful of fruit, texture, material. Well balanced too. In tune with the series. 91/100.

Tinta roriz, touriga nacional, syrah; with 15th century roots, one of the oldest estates of the Lisbon area. Also roriz led, but a totally different animal. The other two varieties plus the terroir change the game. Plus it has spicy extras that read time in cooperage. I smell a deal. Suave, sweet, gentle, complex, inviting. Flavorful, well balanced, and the most forward of the three 2020 reds. Deal indeed. 92/100. Widely liked for both oak smoke and spice and pure black raspberry fruit noted by all three commentators.

2019: 60% touriga nacional, 30% cab sauv, 10% syrah. Delivers. Full, aromatic fruit, spice, spread, all. The heavy hitter varieties show. It's not international though. Innately Euro. Sweet and racy both. Flavorful. All give and spice and range and amplitude. Mild tannin. 91/100, at least.

Est, 1755; 50 - 50; from Vale Encantado; elevations from 70 to 450 meters. Black fruit concentrate, power beyond its statement, superb harmony of its two constituents. Penetrating perfume. Lush, smooth, rich, flavorful, balanced, generous. No tannin issues. Gives and gives. And look at the price! 92/100. Enjoyed by all. 'Super fruity; both grapes show up; very long; great fun.' 'Fruit driven, spicy, juicy, fresh, low tannin; pound-able.'

From Alenquer. Dark red violet. Cabernet black and solidity. Maritime cabernet style. Sweet black fruits and berries. Not cabernet tannic or obstinate so desirable drinking already. I applaud the effort. And the price. 91/100.

Northeast of Lisbon stretches the Tejo River, vines growing along its central banks. 1/3 each syrah, castelao, touriga nacional. 9 months in French oak barrels. Dark grape varieties, dark color. A purple cast even. The fruit mass plus the barrel seasoning and leavening. Pretty awesome, large scale, and complex nose for a wine at this price. Juicy fruit acid adds balance to the palate. Medium-full bodied. Oak and warm spices play out on the finish. Intellectually as well as sensually stimulating. 92+/100.

Est. 1975; 40% each touriga nacional, syrah, 20% alicante bouschet; Gold Medal - 2022 America Awards. Dark red violet. Wow, that's purple-black fruit personified. You put these three dark-peeled varieties together and the aroma goes through the roof. Soars and sails. To the moon!/ A lot of black fruit concentration on the palate alike. Nice sweet fruit that coats any nascent tannin. Well balanced. This will be popular. Deal. 92/100.

Alentejo lies southeast of the Tejo River, running from the center-south east to the Spanish border. 30% each aragonez, trincideira, and syrah, 10% cab sauv; aged four months in French oak barrels; Wine Enthusiast 92/100. Properly modern, warm and robust tinta of Portugal's southeast interior. This has some extra depth and range compared to the regional standard. Thanks to a compelling and compatible assembly of grape varieties and the barrel aging regimen. Full, complex, and pretty accomplished for 2020 at age four. Original fruit core, developing bottle bouquet aura. Bright fruit flavors and acidity. Rich, even lush, on the palate. Plenty of dry extract for texture. Wears its alcohol well. Not a sultry sort. Kudos to the maker. I can see the rating. Long and even keeled aftertaste. 92/100.

At Reguengos de Monsaraz; 40% aragonez, 35% trincadeira, 20% touriga nacional, 5% syrah. Freshness, coolness, and black fruit of one of Alentejo's highest zones. A lot of depth to the nose. Round and rich in the mouth; a rightful Alentejo. Adequate acid fo r balance. No tannin showing. 91/100. 'Super rich but also fresh and clean.' 'Dark fruit driven; approachable in every way.'

Aragonez, syrah, trincadeira, alicante bouschet. Aged eight months in seasoned barriques. Plenty of sweet and generous, youthful fruit still and good and spicy barrel contributions. Yes, this is fruity, sweet tasting. Rich, savory, enticing. A great value. 91/100.

2020: Fermented and aged a year in French oak barrels, 1/3 new. Hearty red black color. Slightly firmer than the 2019. Tasted at a younger stage. Black fruited to the core. Grand, statuesque touriga nacional classic at a good price. Yeah, that's more backward than the recently tasted 2019. All the makings are present. Fine grained but chewy tannins. Another winner in the series. 92+/100.

2019: 80% aragonez, 20% alicante bouschet. At opening, not much nose. After warming in the mouth, much more flavor, power (13.5%), body than the nose initially suggested. VERY satisfying body, taste, balance. 91/100.

Algarve, southernmost of Portugal's wine regions, is the country's Riviera. Boosted by tourist demand, its wines do not come cheap. Est. late 19th century; negramole; from Portugal's riviera; new to market region. Sweet and warm and southern. Smooth. Unique. Good fruit, acidity, and very light touch of tannin. Balanced and lasting. 91/100. Now in my 60th year in the wine trade, this is the first time I've tasted an Algarve wine.

Portugal's farthest northwest region produces bright, fresh dry white wines with glints of green. Est. 18th century; sub region of Basto in the Tamega river valley. Azal, arinto, loureiro. Pale yellow and limpid. Ah, the range and intensity of a trio of classic, aromatic VV varieties. At the price of the more prosaic spreads. Oh, and there's volume and texture in the nostrils too. I smell a bargain. Equally flavorful and well textured. One of the best deals of the year so far. 92/100.

2023: Arinto, azal, loureiro, and trajadura. Pear, peach, and flowers. Marks of the superior, aromatic VV varieties. Rangy representation. Equal flavor spread and intensity. We thought last week's VV (Calcada) was a bargain. This one's a player at $2 less. 91/100.

2023: 70-30; from the higher, warmer sub region of Amarante. Like the previous vintage, this speaks loudly of the superior VV varieties' orchard fruit goodness. A first class VV, and look at the price!/ Equally abundant in stone fruit flavor appeal. Well rounded, without losing sight of VV acidity. I can't believe the price-quality relationship. Come on, summer. 92/100. Very popular with attendees. 'Really nice nose and flavor; very typical; big bargain.' 'Very good acidity; florals, pineapple, pear, maraschino; super value!!'

Minho is the best sub-zone of Vinho Verde. 40 year old vines in schist and granite soils; the owners are tile makers, the label an image of their craft. The class and character of alvarinho (albarino) fully expressed. Entirely realized in this elite sub sector of Vinho Verde. Bravo; one of the best vintages. Lots of soft stone fruits. Flavors amplified, plentiful, and specific. Oh, this is all it should be. Good acidity for the vintage. That gives it even more alluring taste properties. Yes. 92/100. Following aeration, 'Aromas of green melon pour out of the glass'.

30% malvasia fina, 30% viosinho, 25% goevelo, 15% rabigato; 35 year old vines; foot pressed in granite lagares. Pleasing light citrus scent befitting the zone's whites. Flavors confirm. Fresh, with good acidity and an underlying sense of terroir. Versatile at the table; not pushy. 91/100.

Bright, minerally, granite based white Dao. I had a different one from the same vintage a couple of days ago, and it spoke the same language. White Dao sustains. Tangy, lemony flavor and good acidity. Well balanced wine at this stage begging for food. 91/100.

Est. 1990; 40% encruzado, 20% each bical, malvasia fina, cerceal branco. More fruit than in white Daos of old, and all the better for it. The fruit's subtle though, and the granite terroir basis remains fully evident. Well fashioned. Yes, an ideal combo of fruit and minerality. Fully accomplished for summer enjoyment. And look at the price! Third desirable white Dao we've tasted in the last few months, after a years-long drought. 91/100. Well liked all around.

In the high altitude Seia subzone; 35% encruzado, 32% malvasia fina, 19% bical, 14% gouveio; native yeasts. Wow, stony. Smell the granite. Classic, timeless. Seems like it will never grow old. Even with the malvasia component, this is much more about terroir than about fruit. It does have a fruity soft spot though. Not at all an austere palate. Yes, the fruit is still plump, with a firm mineral foundation. Well balanced and surely meal worthy. Mary scores on style once again. 92/100. Continued to impress for its stony aroma and flavor. Even earned some fruit aromatics with aeration.

Lightly fruity nose. Kinda my image of a Lisbon white. What grape varieties? Good and versatile. Yeah, just enough fruit, good body, texture, balance. Wide meal time apps indeed. 91/100.

Artao vaz, roupeiro, and perrum. One wine, and three new grape varieties added to my life list. Pleasing, subtle, soft white fruit aroma. Nicely settled in. That 2021 acid is really bright and brisk. Great mouthfeel. Refreshing meal time white. 91/100. List price: $20.

90% arinto, 10% vermentino; aged 3 months in new French oak barrels. These aromatic varieties have aged gracefully. From both barrel and bottle age, there's a dried fruit and nut bouquet added to the original stone fruit expressions. This works for me on the nose. Well, the oak is even more emphatic on the palate. Therefore, a little aggressive at this stage. All the same, I applaud the maker's striving for uniqueness. A cool customer from a warm land. Bravo. 92/100. Left a positive impression on attendees. 'Lots of oak!' 'Long, distinctive.'

Est. late 19th century; crato branco; from Portugal's riviera; new to market region. New variety to me and a new aromatic profile. White fruit, pear in particular. Yes, Bartlett. Cool and refreshing. 91/100. Very popular with attendees. Wine of the Night for one. 'Lightly aromatic, chalky, long.' 'Breathes well.' 'Unique!'