This is a dry red wine produced by Symington’s Dow’s operation, best known for its Port wine production. The grapes (30% Tinta Barroca, 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca, 15% Tinta Roriz, and 5% Tinto Cão) are grown in the same Douro Valley and is made from the same grapes as Port, only it is vinified to be totally dry. (Initially the wine was not for commercial sale but just used internally by the family.)
Notes of sweet licorice and a slight green pepper are surprisingly engaging on the nose. This leads to an engaging palate of roasted meats, peppery grilled vegetables, more of that licorice, and a sultry, charred wood character on the finish. There’s lots of complexity here, and it’s a wine that drinks well above expectations considering its extremely low price.
A- / $13 / vinsdandurand.com