Quinta dos Carvalhais Colheita 2002

Since Eric Asimov recommended a few big and fruity Portugese wines made from Port grapes I've kept an eye open for interesting looking examples.

We had a Quinta dos Carvalhais Colheita 2002 Dao from Majestic. It was made from Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro (I'd never heard of it either). It was a dark, dirty purple and had an intense aroma of big fat fruit - fresh over-ripe black cherries and blackberries.

It was dry with medium acidity and a high level of tannin, covering a range from ripe to firm, making it almost chewy. The fruit flavour was intense, and it felt almost wrong that it was dry with a sensible alcohol level. The fruit flavours were joined by some vanilla and a little cinnamon and something gently floral which was emphasised with food.

The flavour lasted well, working through the fruitiness to a spicy length. It was great value at £7.