2021: 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.'

2020: 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.

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.

Dark maroon. Oh, thank you, thank you for restoring this brand to the market. The latest vintage is as faithful to style and quality as were vintages of bygone years. Deep, rich, packed with sweet Douro black fruit. Palate fully confirms and presents a brightness of character and acidity too. Welcome back, old friend. 92+/100.

Est. 1868; 35% each tinta roriz, touriga franca, 20% tinta barroca, 10% touriga nacional. Very dark red violet. Oh, my, that is one deep seated aromatic profile. Lovely amalgam of classic Douro varieties. Whole greater than sum of parts. Spicy, variegated, rich. A little more limited in flavor and feel than the nose suggests. Probably needs more bottle age to branch out, though the tannins are modest enough for current service. A lot of 'Port' characteristics in this dry Douro table wine. 91+/100. Liked all around. Very fruity. Grows on you and would no doubt improve with age.' 'Intensely fruity nose. Blackberry and prune/plum. Very juicy. Decent acidity; nick of tannin.'

Aged a year in French oak barrels, 30% new. That's TN all right. Noble and stalwart and black to the heart. Surprisingly smooth in the mouth. I guess from six years' aging. Flavors undeveloped but wine drinkable now. Still, cellar further. 91+/100.

Joint venture est. 1999 between Bruno Prats, formerly of Cos d'Estournel and an arm of the famous Symington family of the Douro; from younger vines at Quinta do Roriz. Inky. Shows elegance, lift. And some barrel extras. Old reliable. Yes, Prats imparts some 'claret' characteristics to the presentation. Wins with finesse rather than richness. And the barrel influence adds subtle complexities. 92+/100.

40% touriga nacional, 30% tinta roriz, 20% touriga franca, 10% tinta barroca. From quintas Bomfim and Senhora da Ribeira. Aged 6 months in cooperage. Robust. Logical upper Douro red table wine. Good freshness and acidity o the palate. A worthy successor to the 2020. Balanced, drinkable, will improve. 91+/100.

Founded in 2007 by two of Portugal's most renowned oenologists; vineyards in Cima Corga and Douro Superior; 50% touriga franca, 30% touriga nacional, 20% tinta roriz. Dark maroon. This has impressive depth and density for the asking price. Douro through and through. Likeible degree of bouquet developing as well. Yes, a really meaty Douro constitution. What a satisfying, generous, hearty meal time wine for the bucks. 91/100.

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.

Est. 1917; aged 6 months in French oak cooperage. My, this is both lushly and brightly fruity. Ideal Douro combo. Power gives presence without burn. Yeah, you have it both ways on the palate too, and, again, the power is nothing but a positive body builder. Good acid. Dusting of fine tannin in back keeps it dry and honest. 91/100. Attendees appreciated the amplitude and value; orders taken. 'Blackberry, depth, complexity.' 'Super dark, rich, and long.' 'Popular style and value.' 'Cooperage shows.' 'Prune, plum, smoke.' 'Rustic and powerful.'

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.

Touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz, almarela, tinta barroca, tinto cao. Aged 14 months in once and twice filled barrels. Nice to see a new vintage of this. Oh, and it's just bursting with region and varietal expression. Big time spread on the nose. And 2022 mellowness of acid and texture. Logical successor to the 2020, each expressive of its vintage characteristics. Will recommend. 91+/100.

From schist soil of Douro Superior; 50% touriga nacional,40% touriga franca, 10% tinta roriz; whole cluster pressed; aged 8 months in French oak barrels. Dark, dark red violet. Oh, yes, the class, depth, and intensity of these proud Portuguese varieties uncompromised by Gucci French immigrant grapes. This is heavy duty stuff. Good fruit aroma statement becomes even more in evidence on the palate. The barrel time adds suavity and complexity but not 'woodiness'. Pretty awesome stuff for hearty fare now and large scale cellar promise. Barca Velha airs. 94+/100. Acknowledged 'big' by attendees. 'Very fruit driven red! Fresh blackberries here! There's rising aromatics with warming on the palate.' 'There's structure from fine grained tannins and acidity. No flabby fruit bomb red here.'

30% touriga franca, 20% each tinta amarela, tinta roriz, 10% each rufete, tinta barroca, 5% each malvasia petra, donzelinho. Native yeasts. 30% foot trodden and fermented in stone lagares. Like the white, this is distinctively stony. Also deep and dark fruited and Douro solid. Impressive stature. Palate confirm solid framing and good fruit filling. Good vintage acidity. Seabra well represents the region's table wines. 93+/100.

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.

Est. 1990; 40% alfrocheiro, 30% each touriga nacional, aragonez. Very dense and terroir bound. Great value in a cellar worthy Dao. Yes, this is compact and full of good material, both fruit and mineral constructed core. A steal in age worthy red wine. 91+/100.' 'Spicy, fruit driven nose, juicy palate. Anise and floral tones. Lots of wine for the price. Easy and engaging, but not lacking structure.'

35% each touriga nacional, tinta roriz, 30% alfrocheiro. Dark red violet. Dao firmness, vintage coolness, solid granite foundation. Traditional terroir talk. Yeah, good grip and minerality. Some tannin, albeit fine grained. Food would take that up. Solid Dao rep. 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.

Winemaker Lucia Ferreira; terraced vineyards on granite at high altitude in the Seia sub zone; 60% touriga nacional, 40% tinta roriz. Dark maroon. Holding to a youthful appearance. The glory of nacional! Roriz pushes the nose further along, otherwise this would be a nacional monolith. Yes, another skilled MTS cuvee. The varieties certainly work together as a team to supply textural range. Slow maturing DO and vintage, so this has a great future. 92+/100.

Vines planted in 1999 at 1600'; aged 18 months in once filled barrels. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark red violet. One hefty Dao and nicely ripe for a cool vintage. Boy, this has the fruit material to absorb its complexing oak embellishments. Upscale. Rich and intricate, with a rocky granite foundation. The tannins are fine grained and well integrated. Serve or save. One of the most ambitious Daos I've met. 93+/100. Attendees appreciated the nose. 'Attractive mature oak and fruit.' 'Quite the bouquet with florals, oak, and even salami.' The conclusion from tannin on the palate was 'save' rather than 'serve'.

Beira Interior lies east of Dao and butts up against the Spanish border. 90% tinta roriz, 10% jaen (mencia). 8 months in barrels, 1/3 French oak, 2/3 American oak. Dark maroon. Aromas not very forthcoming yet. I'm not getting much in the way of either oak or fruit at opening. Well, there's some of both on the palate. And both fruit and oak tannins. Solid build, lots of raw material. Will enjoy more bottle age. Previous vintage tasted at a later stage of maturity. 92+/100. Others' notes jibed with mine. 'Young and tannic but well constructed. All the elements are correct, and there is a sense of balance.'

Est. 1920 at Alenquer, 25 miles north of Lisbon; castelao, tinta roriz, touriga franca, syrah; aged partly in oak barrels. Sweetly amicable fruit aroma. And taste. Some RS countered by good acidity. Easy drinkin'. No brainer; quaffer. 91/100. Thrived with aeration; widely liked. No mention of its RS. 'Pretty complex nose. Nice, balanced flavors.' 'Spicy cola and black fruit on the nose. Oak emerges on the palate. Touch of bacon. Easy; no rough edges.'

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.

Lovely dark red violet. Deep and luscious black fruits. I smell a value. Mouthfilling indeed. Full flavor and texture. Sweet fruit, great acid, extract, fine grained tannins. Total value. 92/100.

40% syrah, 40% castelao, 20% touriga nacional. Dark red violet. Nose as dark as the color. No surprise with this varietal lineup. Lisboa sweet smelling. Aromas not yet fully revealed at opening. Yes, fruit sweetness marks the palate too. And dark varietals. Again, aromatics not fully emerged. More than a year behind the 2022. Good balance. No tannin issues. Just needs more time to evolve into greater aroma and flavor display. Or simply additional aeration.. 91+/100. Indeed, blossomed with aeration to become widely popular with attendees, especially for the price. 'Sweetness, roundness of Lisboa wines. Food wine!' 'Portugal shows through. Big fruit and huge value. Enjoyable.' 'Syrah elements identified. Enough structure to be useful and not boring. Well priced!!'

Touriga franca, alicante bouschet, touriga nacional, tinta roriz, caladoc, castelao, syrah; Gold Medal - 95/100, New York International Wine Competition. Boy, one heavy bottle for a screwcap. The greater coolness that maritime influence and more northern latitude impart. Complex range of aromatics that its wide varietal makeup foster. Really quite sophisticated for the price. More straight forward on the palate; narrower flavor than aroma range. All fits in place well though; well balanced, of satisfying weight and flow, and good aftertaste. 91/100.

Syrah and alicante bouschet. Yikes! Heavy Bottle Award (at 12 bucks!). Deep red violet. Oh, this is loaded with fruit concentration. What at first appear to be strange bedfellow varieties perform here a perfect symmetry of freshness and blackness coupled with sweetness and redness. And never ending depth of aroma. Sweet, fruity palate that is more forward than the nose suggests. The alicante takes command here. Tannins melted away. The nose impresses, the palate seduces. A lot of entertainment for the price. 92/100.

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.

Est. 1755; 60% touriga nacional, 30% cab sauv, 10% syrah; aged a year, part in seasoned French oak barrels. Dark red violet as expected from its varietal makeup. Dense nacional, class nacional. Dark plum nacional. Some cabernet black currant and syrah black raspberry. Lovely combo. Generous too. Oh, and the flavors are just and varied and specific. Good acidity, good texture, good body, good length. And, GOOD DEAL! 91/100.

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. Dark red violet. Shows its 80% black fruit content in a compact, concentrated, and powerful display. I smell a deal. Sweet fruit coats the alcohol. Light tannin and good acidity perform a balancing act. Flavorful, mouth filling, lengthy. Deal indeed. 91+/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.'

Vines average 30 years. Unfined, unfiltered. The purple depths, nobility, and grandeur of touriga nacional in full display. What sets it apart. Again, Tyrian purple majesty. Well balanced; the tannins are melted. Serve now with hearty fare or cellar confidently. 93+/100.

25% each aragonez, syrah, trincadeira, alicante bouschet; part aged in French oak barrels. Dark maroon. All the abundance of these generous varieties rolled into one package. Classic to the region. There are some barrel extras in the background. Both rich and racy on the palate thanks to good acidity for area and vintage. Some fine grained tannin entering the picture on the back palate. While useful now, this should thrive for 2-3 more years. 91+/100. Enjoyed by attendees. 'Really says Portugal.' 'Richly fruited, pleasant, direct.' 'Fine barrel seasoning.'

Fermented and aged a year in French oak barrels, 1/3 new. Larger, drier from barrel time, and more backward. Serious, complicated, potent stuff. Nobility of touriga nacional shows through, proving that it's up to the barrel regimen. Ambitious and ageworthy, as vintages tasted when older proved out. It's neither dry nor tannic so useful now with hearty fare. Much more aromatic range and depth to come. 92+/100. Attendees were keen on this, comments paralleling mine. 'Super rich, lots of extraction, not much tannin.' 'Ambitious; French oak shows; structured, latent.'

80% aragonez, 20% alicante bouschet, vines planted in 2002 in the Mourao sub zone; fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Clearly from a higher, cooler zone of the region than is the Sao Miguel. More race and aromatic clarity. Cool customer. Smooth, suave, flowing, flavorful. Good acid. Sense of time in seasoned cooperage. Well coordinated and inviting of current drinking. 91/100. Popular with attendees. 'Mature yet very alive; tastes right; no obvious oak.' 'Cooler than the Sao Miguel; easy to like; good texture, balance, clarity.'

10%. From the Amarante sub region, Vinho Verde's highest; vineyards at 1000 to 2000 meters; vinhao (aka sousao), widest planted red grape in the DO, known for its high acidity. The lowest alcohol (and calorie) rose we've encountered in a long while. Blush pink color. Satisfying red peels aroma and texture presence as well as an emphasis on cool refreshment. Strawberry and red raspberry. Lithe, with just the right measures of acidity and red peels extracts to form a balancing act with its modest strength. Porch, deck, picnic, brunch, lunch apps. 91/100. Well liked by attendees. 'Huge fun!' ' Very clean and fresh and delish.' ' Lovely color and super value.'

Est. 18th century; sub region of Basto in the Tamega river valley; azal, arinto, loureiro. Aromatic largesse of these premium, scented VV varieties. Boy, that's a good, cool nose-ful in 2024. Suave, sweetly fruity, and a full of flavor as aroma. Can't recall a better vintage of this. Kudos. 92/100. Very popular with attendees. WOTN for several. Orders taken. 'Exceptionally rich and flavorful; Value of the Evening.' 'Super nose and flavors; good value for sure.' 'Crisp green apple; long finish; well done.' 'Balanced palate and acid, texture and richness.'

Azal, loureiro, arinto. High quality varieties for the price. And they show on the nose as background to the majority azal. Full and flavorful. Great vintage acid. This delivers for the price. 91/100.

Alvarinho, treixadura. First class varieties for the price, and, boy, it really sports their superior fruitiness on the nose. I smell a deal. Flavorful too. Tender fruit sweetness with balancing acidity. Quaffer for sure, especially at this alcohol level. Harmonious through the extended finish. Even a suggestion of spritz. 91/100. Popular with attendees for the same reasons I've given. 'Super fruity; super easy to enjoy.' 'Primary sweet fruited, juicy. Gulpable.'

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.

From an estate between the Lima and Vez rivers and the varieties loureiro and treixadura; cooperative bottled. With warmth and aeration, the bright aromatic varieties, reticent at opening, really pour through. Cool, limey edge. Which extends to the palate, supported by refreshing spritz. This has been a reliable VV value for years, never more so than over recent vintages. 91/100. Well liked by attendees. 'One the better examples we've had.' ' Very fresh, clean and flavorful.' 'Very long and great value.'

2023: Low key aromatics but not light, green, and dilute like the cheaper spreads. More fruit flavor display on the palate. Light spritzy feel. Good richness, not at the expense of refreshment. Flavors build through the finish. Warmth and aeration definitely bring it forth. 90/100.

70-30; from the higher, warmer sub region of Amarante. Upon opening, firmer and less fruity than the 2023, though that was probably tasted when a few months older. I like the form and figure. The latent fruit quality of the ingredients lurks. And comes forth with boldness on the palate. Stays somewhat unresolved as a whole. 91+/100. Aeration brought this on big time. WOTN for several attendees. 'Really special.' 'Lovely rich nose and palate.' 'Very Vinho Verde in spades.' 'Crisp and refreshing summertime seafood special.'

60% arinto, 30% azal, 10% loureiro. Very lively Vinho Verde spritz. The upscale, pungent varieties are here in all their glory. This really sings!/ Spritz adds dryness to the quality varietals' fruitiness. This really hangs together well for me. So far, seems to be an ideal Vinho Verde vintage. Long, flavorful aftertaste. Totally refreshing too. 92/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Aromatic yet mineral driven too.' 'Good richness and body; very solid; balanced.'

Est. 1984; loureiro and trajadura; granite soil at 1500'. Fulfilled pungency of two of VV's best and most fragrant varieties. Employing two gives extra aromatic range. Good acidity and padding working together. Bright, flavorful, refreshing high altitude VV. Underlying granite minerality is a nice extra. 92/100. An attendee favorite; Wine of the Night votes. 'Super fresh, clean, and flavorful. Pretty serious while retaining VV character.' 'Apricot on the nose with citrus on the palate. Very rich and concentrated for a VV. Bracing acdity.'

Joint venture est. 2022 between winegrower Mendes and an arm of the famous Symington family of the Douro; from the sub region of Lima. Even more pungent than the Ermizio, and more developed as well. Spotlights this top variety. Hallmark. Full and flavorful. A marked stylistic difference between the two. This will take to heartier fare. 92/100. Attendees liked this one too. 'Serious wine, less fruit driven than 1. Riper and fuller fruited.'

40 year old vines in schist and granite soils; the owners are tile makers, the label an image of their craft. Crispness of a cool vintage. Class and depth of Vinho Verde's best zone and grape variety. Yes, coolness, race, and top quality flavor set. Fills out well as it warms in the mouth. Will continue to be a VC best seller. 92/100. Loved by attendees. WOTN for some. 'Super varietal, flavorful, balanced, delish.' 'Full and rich alvarinho. Fruit and mineral with supporting acidity. Well priced in its genre.'

Est. 1982; two of the best sub zones of Vinho Verde and closest to the river; first family estate to plant a solid vineyard of alvarinho, the area's top grape. Best Cork Award. Shy at first, it grows as it warms to show the best and most aromatic face of Vinho Verde: alvarinho. Exceptional substance in its field too. Elegant flavor set; a class act. Spells top grape and top zone. Not a Vinho Verde aperitif sort, this has main course apps. 91/100. Positive attendee comments: 'Bright, fresh nose.' 'Flowers, mountains, and sea.'

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.

Winemaker Lucia Ferreira; at high altitude in the Seia sub zone; 35% encruzado, 32% malvasia fina, 19% bical, 14% gouveio; native yeasts. Just shimmering with granitic minerality. Doesn't need much in the way of fruity aromatics. Good acidity and minerality on the palate too, without being austere. There's fruit padding if not much in the way of fruit flavors. These are not fragrant varietals. What it should be. Sleeper cellar candidate. 91+/100.

60% rabigato, 15% each gouvelo, codega, 10% viosinho. Native yeasts. Aged 90% in seasoned barrels on lees. Similar appearance. Adding some grapes to my life list today. Has a Douro stony basis to it. Full. Yes, mineral grip supplants the mild acidity of the vintage and grows in impact through the finish. Pretty impressive juice. 92/100.

2023: 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.

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.'

Same producer as Mateus rose; 17 g/l sweetness. A pleasant, low key, fruity nose. No attempts at lees influence. Tastes drier than smells. The mousse is fine. The fruit is likely low toned. Say, this all hangs together pretty well. Super aperitif, party, brunch, deck, picnic quaffer. Bravo. 91/100. Attendees were likewise pleased, considering it good fun and a good value, also noting it seemed drier than its RS statement would suggest.