You’re not ready for this wine. You won’t believe it exists. But, like the devil, it believes in you. Yes, that is balsamic and cherries on the nose. Soft acid, dark fruit, dried prunes, and a hint of rosemary-like vegetal greet the front palate. Exquisitely balanced tannins shore up the structure, focusing the flavors. Faint pepper and spice play on the mid palate, reminiscent of the haunting spice of the ubiquitous piri-piri. Cherries and florals form the long finish for this tawny beauty. I’m not the genius that found this wine – thank Nuno Santos of Wine Bar do Castelo for that – but you’re welcome, nonetheless.
- Rating: Impressive
- Name: Montefino 2011
- Winery: Francisco B. Fino, Soc. Agricola, LDA
- Region: Alentejo (non-DO)
- Country: Portugal
- Varietals: Trincadeira 25%, Aragones 25%, Alicante Bouschet 25%, Touriga Nacional 25%
- Price: $?
- Where to Buy: Lisbon
100% Malvasia. An interesting little wine from the Colares wine region of Portugal. Squished between the hills of Sintra and the Atlantic ocean, the region is home to vines that – like the vines used for this wine – were never grafted because they grew too close to the sea for phylloxera to take hold. Like many Portuguese whites, a flinty, mineral character with some breezy ocean notes on it. I drank this with friends who also tend toward reds and it really caught everyone’s attention. I picked up a 375ml at 
35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tina Roriz, 25% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Barroca. Nice red fruit up front, strawberries and cherries. Crushed violets into a peppery finish. Just enough tannin to hold it all together with a smack of leather. One of the more well-balanced and accessible Portuguese offerings. This wine doesn’t knock your socks off, but it’s well-rounded and can go well with a lot of things, from tomato pasta sauces to smoked or grilled meats. Ranges from $12-16 as carried by Whole Foods on P Street.
Posto Novo 