Casa Santos Lima 2017 Red Blend - 88pts

Casa Santos Lima 2017 Red Blend Portugal (Lisboa) Portugal

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $17-21
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Exceptional value on offer in this blend of multiple, native and international grapes - even with the crazy import taxes imposed in the BC market which can push this wine above $20. Easy-drinking thanks to its fruit-to-acid balance, subtle complexity and just enough tannic structure. Enjoy on its own or with cheaper cuts of beef. Drink now-2016.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Graham's N/V Six Grapes Reserve Port - 89pts

Graham's N/V Six Grapes Reserve Port (Douro Valley) Portugal

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $24-28
Alcohol: 20%
Date Tasted: December 22nd, 2014

Tasting Notes: The name "Six Grapes" is a reference to the winery's visual, quality classification for barrels of years past ('6' was the highest). This is a reserve ruby port, meaning it is a composition of multiple vintages of ruby port wines blended together to consistently represent the brand, year-in, year-out (not dissimilar to house-style Champagne). Whether the port was bottled this year or in 2011, it should taste the same, though, word to the wise, ruby port is not meant to be aged for future development like its famous sibling, vintage port. Drink it within a year or two from purchase.

Sourced from multiple estates in the Douro and compiled of the four noble Douro grapes, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroc, plus small parts of other native grapes, the 'Six Grapes' offers intense red fruit, plum and licorice aromas supported by notes of mint, flowers and Ferrero Rocher confections. The fully sweet palate offers good continuity from the nose, though, with more focus on sweet berry and cherry fruit flavours. The finish is long and boisterous. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Samuel Magalhaes e Silva 2011 Douro 4U - 86pts

Samuel Magalhaes e Silva 2011 Douro 4U (Douro DOC) Portugal

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $14-16
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 12000 cases
Date Tasted: February 24th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Clean, generous nose combining black fruit, licorice, cured meats, incense and a multitude of spices. The palate shows good continuity from the nose with a modern, early-drinking sensibility; fresh acidity, mild tannins and food-friendly complexity. Finishes quite short, undercutting its value as an on-its-own-sipper - open with dinner and enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Quinta Da Garrida 2006 Vinho Tinta - 88pts

Quinta Da Garrida 2006 Vinho Tinta (Dao) Portugal

Availability: Limited. Select BCLDB stores
Cost: $12-17
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Savoury, smoky and earthy in character with some dark berry fruit notes on both the nose and palate. Very smooth with well-structured medium tannins and acidity. A moderate-plus finish with lingering spicy-oak.

This red blend of native Portugal varietals Tinta-Roriz and Touriga-Nacional has aged beautifully. Definitely a wine to snatch-up, if you can find it, and enjoy as an over-delivering mid-week treat. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010