Lavradores de Feitoria “Três Bagos” Douro, 2003
~US$13, 52% Touriga Nacional, 16.5% Touriga Franca, 14% Tinta Barroca, 13.5% Tinta Roriz, 4% other, Douro, Portugal
Medium Ruby color. Ripe black fruits on the nose - plums, black cherries and blackberries along with a mild dried herbaceousness. Darker, portlike flavors make their presence known, but the wine is never heavy or cloying. The medium-bodied palate revealed vibrant acidity and surprisingly refined tannins. Black fruit gave way to a nice white pepper component reminiscent of southern Rhone varieties. Short and dry mineral-driven finish.
My overall impression was this tasted like the lovechild of a Priorat and a rustic Cotes-du-Rhone, but with a lighter body. Very interesting and a fantastic value - probably my favorite sub$15 red wine in the past 4 weeks. Try the sweet-and-savory combo foods like Hawaiian pizza or Peking duck.
Hey The Priorat and the Douro have the same soil with surprisingly similar looks and feels, hence any resemblance between the two’s wines is not coincidental. Great bottle though and one I’ve enjoyed many times. Thanks for the post!
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this one sounds very interesting. i have added it to my list of wines that i must try, let me know when you get a chance to try the lily pinot. speaking of oinots, i am gong to be doing a vertical tasting of the “03-”05 pinots from styring vineyards some tome in the next month or so. interested in joining the fun?
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