WINE REVIEW: Dow, Vale do Bomfim, DOC Douro Red 2019 and 2020 ($13)

by Andrew Chalk

Two vintages here, as I appear to have overlooked the 2019 and the 2020 arrived. That is the kind of mistake that people need a pandemic to excuse.

Tasting the two vintages back-to-back affirms some regularities about this Douro Valley red wine.

Both are similar blends of Touriga Franca, Field Blend, and Touriga Nacional (2019 is a 50/30/20 percent blend for example).

Both are built from grapes grown in predominantly (maybe entirely) estate vineyards.

Both are fruit-driven, short-term aged in oak (typically 6 months).

Both don’t settle with fruit alone. There are perfume notes in the nose. Herbal undertones in the mouth.

These are medium weight wines. Perhaps a surprise given they are made heavily from the two port heavyweight grapes (Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional).

Drink now. Ideal for red meat at a very competitive price.

Sample.