Porrais Tinto '18

A decade ago, my “everyday” value wine club was filled with wines made from Rhône varieties. There was a bountiful array of wines at that price point, largely from places like the southern Rhône Valley or perhaps northeastern Spain. Today, it is without question that some of the greatest wine values in the world come from Portugal. For full-bodied, complex red wines, the Douro Valley is one of the premier regions in the world for collector wines as well as great values. 

As we have mentioned in the past, Porrais is a name to know in the Douro Valley. Located in the Cima Corgo subregion, this property was once owned by one of the Douro's most iconic figures, Antónia Adelaide Ferreira. While not owned by the family anymore, winemaking is still in the family, with “Xito” Olazabal making the wines today. “Xito” is considered one of the top winemakers in Portugal. His wine from Douro Superior, Quinta do Vale Meão, is perennially considered one of the best and most age-worthy wines in the region.  

Porrais Tinto is the entry-level wine in the lineup of reds at Quinta de Porrais. It is a blend of indigenous Portuguese varieties: Sousão, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks. It is aged for just nine months in used French oak barrels. The 2018 Porrais Tinto offers pretty aromas of plums, blackberries, and baking spices. It is full bodied yet well balanced, with soft tannins and a bright, juicy finish. A versatile wine at the table, we like it with braised short ribs, but you can enjoy it as a glass on its own.