Pocas Reserva Red Douro – An Elegant and Enjoyable Saturday Splurge

50% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Roriz and 10% Tinta Barroca from Douro Valley, Portugal.

SRP of $28 and available for as low as $25. Sample received courtesy Wines of Portugal for review purposes.

From the bottle:

“From the region of Envedosa do Douro (Cima Corgo), and vinified at Quinta das Quartas in Regua, this medium-bodied red wine is elegant and sophisticated with flavours of dark cherries, licorice and white pepper. Enjoy with all meats, game and a variety of cheeses. Fermented in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperature this wine has matured for twelve months with French and American oak barrels which imparts a finesse.

14.0% Alcohol”

Today’s wine is made from a blend of mostly traditional Portugese grapes, like Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, which are the primary varieties used in Port wines. Touriga Nacional in particular is considered to make Portugal’s best wines, but these vines produce very few (and small) grapes so it can be very expensive. But as we’ve discussed before fewer grapes usually equals more flavorful wines, and we like flavor! And lucky for all of us Touriga Nacional is being used more and more to make excellent table wines, like today’s.

The 2007 Pocas Reserva Red Douro begins with a really pleasant aroma of ripe black cherry and plum plus lots of spice, a little raisin and licorice. When tasting the wine the fruit turns more to red berries — strawberry and raspberry — and those spice and licorice notes continue from the bouquet. This is a really delicious and enjoyable wine to drink with a great smooth mouthfeel. It ends dry and delicious with lingering fruit flavors that turn to some light chocolate notes on the finish. A really excellent wine with nice complexity and balance, and it’s even better on day 2!

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.