Like so many aspects of our lives, the majority of 2020 felt like it fell into the hands of others, and the most we could do was carry on. Plans scrapped, including an autumn visit to Portugal, but our woes were so minor compared to those who lost everything, lost loved ones, lost faith in our society.
We kept hope through turning inward to each other, and enjoying the cooking and wine connoisseurship right here at home. We opened special bottles with a “live in the present” attitude, and we picked up what we could from local stores as both our travel and means remained limited,
So, for the second half of 2020, we have only a few Portuguese wines of note to share with you. Those we enjoyed thoroughly we’ll revisit, and we’re already planning a trip to Portugal in mid 2021!
Mondeca 2012 Tinto 
Vintage & Producer: Mondeco 2012
From: DOC Dão
Style/Notes: Partially obscure garnet, medium weight; Leather, dark plum, blackberry aromas; Smooth stewed plums, bramble on the palate, falls a bit in the middle, tannins dropping out at first then stabilizes as it opens up… now a few rose petals.
Varieties: 30% TR 25% TN 15% Alfrocheiro 20% Jaen 10% Baga
13% abv
Terra de Lobos 2017 Tinto 
Vintage: Producer: Casal Branco Terra do Lobos 2017
From: VR Tejo
Style/Notes: Deep purple hazy color; Dark cherry fruits on the nose; With the rugged leathers of castelão on the palate, more purple berries, soft tannins.
Varieties: 80% Castelão and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
13,5% abv
Seastone Rosé 
Vintage & Producer: Seastone Rosé NV
From: DOC Vinho Verde
Style/Notes: Pale salmon pink color, no effervesence; Strawberry aromas; Dry, strawberry leaf flavors.
11% abv
Rapariga da Quinta Tinto 2017 
Vintage & Producer: Rapariga da Quinta Tinto 2017
From: VR Alentejano
Style/Notes: Six months in French oak barrels; Garnet color; Medium body; Blackberry, leather, dark plum aromas; More black plums w skins—moderate tannins on the palate. Smoothed, vanishing finish.
Varieties: Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon
14% abv
Vintage & Producer: Rapariga da Quinta Branco 2018
VR Alentejano
Style/Notes: Pale lemon color, light to medium body; Lemon peel, damp hay, elderflower aromas; Elderflower & lemons (juice & peel) on the palate.
Varieties: Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Arinto
JP Azeitão Rosé Syrah 2019
Vintage & Producer: Bacalhôa JP Azeitão Rosé 2019
From: VR Sétubal
Style/Notes: Pale salmon color, light body; Watermelon, cherry, strawberry leaf aromas; Juicy overripe strawberry on the palate.
Variety: Syrah
Vintage & Producer: Ciconia Tinto 2015
From: VR Alentejano
Style/Notes: Pretty garnet color, medium body; Garam masala, black cherries, tobacco on the nose; More black cherry juice on the palate with a spice mix, black pepper, moderate tannins, even middle, light finish.
Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Aragonez
13,5% abv
Vintage & Producer: Cockburn’s Tawny Port NV
From DOC Douro
Style/Notes: Deep amber color, clear; Bright sultanas on the nose, plus caramel; More spun sugar on the palate plus bourbon soaked raisins & a flash of Ranier cherry.
Vintage & Producer: Portal da Calçada Rosé Riserva 2019
From: Vinho Verde DOC
Style/Notes: Pale salmon pink; Light body; Aromas of strawberry, leaves; More like red currants on the palate.
12% abv
Vintage & Producer: Casa Santos Lima Lab Vinho Branco 2019
From: VR Lisboa
Style/Notes: Pale straw color; Moderate acidity, light to medium body; Spiced pineapple on the nose; Tropical flavors, leading with pineapple, mango, with an even finish.
12,5% abv
Vintage & Producer: Quinta do Casal Monteiro 2012 Forme de Arte
From: DOC Tejo
Style/Notes: Obscure purple garnet color, medium body; Pink peppercorns, blackberry skins, lilies on the nose; Blackberry juice, lemon peel, hint of cinnamon on the palate; An intriguing, mature wine; sediment to care for in the pont.
Varieties: 50% Touriga Nacional 50% Cab Sauvignon
13% abv
Vintage & Producer: Casa Santos Lima Confidencial Rosé Reserva
From: VR Lisboa
Style/Notes: Pale salmon color; Light to medium body; Raspberry, roses, white cherry on the nose; Expands a bit on the palate with pink raspberry, cherry lollipop on the back end.
12,5% abv
Vintage & Producer: Quinta da Garrida 2014 Bacalhôa
From: Dão DOC
Style/Notes: Garnet color, medium body; Red cherry, coneflowers aroma, hint of grilled meat; More red cherries on the palate, moderate to light tannins, fading off in the finish.
Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Roriz, Jaen
13,5% abv
Vintage & Producer: Colossal Vinho Branco Reserva 2018
From: VR Lisboa
Style/Notes: Pale yellow color, light body; Bit of green banana, hay, soy, and pineapple aromas; Lemon tart, pickled ginger on the palate.
Varieties: Arinto and Chardonnay
12.5 % abv
Confidencial Tinto 2016 
Vintage & Producer: Casa Santos Lima Confidencial 2016
From: VR Lisboa Confidential
Style/Notes: Dark garnet color; Moderate weight and legs; Toasty plum and cinnamon spice aromas; More dark plum juice & hint of bark on the palate
Varieties: Blend of 10-plus varieties
13,5% abv
Fonseca 27 Port
Vintage & Producer: Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Port NV
From: DOC Douro
Style/Notes: Deep garnet color, obscure; Grape leaves and blackberry nose; More sweet blackberry juice on the palate; simple.