by Andrew Chalk
The Symington Family may be the "First Family of Portuguese Wine". First establishing themselves with port, then table wines from the port area (the Douro), and now further afield. In this case, in The Alentejo. This example of Alicante Bouchet is very good, worthy of aging, but a fine accompaniment now to roast lamb, venison, or the chicken tikka masala I served it with tonight.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep intensity, ruby hue;
Nose: Medium-plus intensity, mainly primary qualities in the nose. Blackberry fruit, tomato leaf, dfried herbs (thyme), licorice. Pencil shavings augment to give complexity;
Palate: Blackberry, licorice, forest floor, amid ripe fruit. Cloves and leather.
Great potential as tertiary flavors come to dominate.
Sample.
