You may know Quinta da Pacheca from their Port wines but, like many Douro producers, they are producing a number of excellent high-quality still wines. Douro is a beautiful place with always-sunny picturesque valleys along the Douro river. The extreme sun exposure and naturally thick-skinned grape choices can make some of Portuguese red wines overly tannic but this Douro Superior appears to have side-stepped any extreme harsh flavors. Fresh black fruit and earthy notes of tobacco and leather are nicely in balance making for a red wine that is ready to drink at a moment’s notice.
Quinta da Pacheca, Douro DOC (Portugal) 2020
By Vince Simmon