2017 Porta 6, Lisboa VR, Portugal (Alcohol 13.5%, Residual Sugar 12g/L) LCBO $14.00 (750ml bottle)
This terrific value regional wine of Lisbon is one that I happily have a bit of history with, as it happens to be my sister’s “house” red wine back in Glasgow, Scotland; over the years I have slugged back a fair bit of this juice, and then some.
Upon tasting the current 2017 vintage I was immediately transported back to some rather boozy evenings, usually around the holidays, gathered around my sister’s kitchen table, laughing so heartily with my family, and being told by my wife that perhaps I’ve had a little too much to drink…
Coming in at a remarkable $14, this is a punchy, fresh, juicy, and full-bodied blend of the native Aragonez (50%), Castelão (40%) and Touriga Nacional (10%), all stainless steel fermented.
It’s a wine built for drinking now, and I think in these warmer months it really fits the bill, especially with 30 mins in the fridge before serving. Full bodied reds really need that in the heat, otherwise they can be a real chore to drink.
This bottling is anything but a chore: the immediate hit of fresh, bright, dark, spiced fruit on the nose leads to mouth-filling and hearty palate, with more than adequate tannins and acidity to give enough structure to perfectly frame all the delicious spiced black berry fruit.
Seeing that this is sold in 3L bag-in-box in Europe, one can only wish that we’d see that format over here in Canada at some point, as it’s the perfect summer party wine.
The Porta 6 White (Arinto/Viosinho/Chardonnay/Viognier) is also something I’m going to try to track down when I can finally get to Europe once again.
(Four apples out of a possible five)
Porta 6 is represented in Ontario by Hobbs & Company.
Hobbs & Company are a Good Food Fighter.
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Edinburgh-born/Toronto-based Sommelier, consultant, writer, judge, and educator Jamie Drummond is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution… And he’ll be drinking a fair bit of that this summer… thanks for the heads up, Lorna!
