Exaggerating somewhat the red grape Touriga Nacional for Portugal is the equivalent of what apple pie is for the United States! Unfortunately I mention this grape to non-wine professionals and I receive blank stares except from Port drinkers who are always familiar with this grape of the Holy Grail. From what I have seen and tasted one is more likely to see the grape in a blend but on occasion you find it as a single varietal.
Having met with the producers years ago I just couldn’t resist reinvigorating some memories.
The aromas are heavily steeped in dark fruit particularly blackberry, black currant with a tad of black cherry. Although this is a table wine it evokes what your nose may experience in a more concentrated fashion with Port. The tannins are in the medium range. On the palate there is no doubt this is big wine that has been substantially tamed by a few years in the bottle. It has some spice and pepper with a cutting edge. Mostly blueberry!
The wine is a bit cloudy without any description that it is unfiltered so for me a warning sign the wine is a bit long on the tooth and must be consumed by the end of 2022. I would also note the fruit on the palate seems to have faded. No it is not flawed, at least yet, as it simply is in advanced age and will handle a good slab of grilled beef or Douro roast pork with potatoes and perhaps a bit of cabbage on the side.
Given its declining condition it is overpriced.
(Delaforce Touriga Nacional 2015, DOC Douro, Real Companhia Velha, Villa Nova de Gaia, Portugal, $20.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 324517, 750 mL, 14%, RKS Wine Rating 86/100).
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