As for Portuguese wines on the California centric shelves of Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s the big guy is the Douro and in a somewhat distant second place but gaining ground are the wines from Alentejano.
We try a Monte Velho from the Alentejano a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional and Syrah.
On the nose the first impression is that the wine is a spicy little fellow. Black cherry, blueberry, dark chocolate, Santa Rosa plum and a bit of Tellicherry pepper on the nose.
On the palate there is a certain softness and plushness but not to the degree there is flabbiness. Loads of blueberry tinged by some black licorice and home-made raspberry jam. Short finish.
As with most Portuguese red wines built for food. Good with grilled octopus and with beef. For vegheads brave enough to break their backs preparing Eggplant Parmesan with local field tomatoes/garlic/basil. If you want to make this dish act soon while local produce is available. Moving to colder months another backbreaking dish that would suit the wine would be Mushroom Wellington.
(Monte Velho 2019, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Esporão, Portugal, $14.05, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 146778, 13%, 750 mL, RKS Wine Rating 88/100).
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