Red wines from Portugal’s Alentejo are tied at the hip to the Alicante Bouschet grape known more for imparting colour to red wine than for its delectability. Whatever the reason as far as Alentejano blends if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Here we have a Herdade do Rocim a Vinho Regional Alentejano being a blend of Touriga Nacional (40%), Aragonez (30%) and Alicante Bouschet (30%). Aged 6 months in 40% new French oak.
Aroma: Big time blackberry rules the roost but there is black cherry, cactus pear and fig.
Palate: Tannins imprisoned in the backroom here alongside any noticeable acidity. Blackberry takes centre stage as it did with the wine’s aroma but some blueberry pieish notes too. I make my own blackberry jam and think it is just fantastic in comparison to cherry/strawberry/raspberry/blueberry jams that I make. Moderately long finish.
Personality: How dare this Robert Stephen make any reference to jam as I am not jammy. He should be more careful to ever compare a wine from Alentejo to jam! I have lots of blackberry swirling about me. I am influenced by blackberry not taken over by it. Hmmmmph leave that corruption to certain Australian wines! Enough said.
Food match: As this wine is upset with me I should be careful but duck breast with some blackberry jam reduction sauce….reduced with both Port and this wine.
Cellarbility: This will sail into 2027 but will not noticeably improve with age.
Price: $18.95 (Ontario).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100. Mark Squires robertparker.com 89.
(Herdade do Rocim 2021, Vinho Tinto, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Rocim Lda, Leiria, Portugal, 750 mL, 14.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 423574).
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