2001 Altano Douro

[hotwine]

Made from the Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca grapes in Portugal by the Symington family who've been making wine in the Douro since the 19th century, this hearty red offers sour dark cherries and stewed prunes on the nose and up front, with dark oak spiciness merging on the palate, drifting off to a moderate finish. Would be excellent with barbecue, either beef or pork. 12.5% alc and all of $4.99 at World Market. A truck-load buy.

[wondersofwine]

Yeah, if you like sour cherries and stewed prunes. I'm not sure I do.

[hotwine]

Think about a Barbera, Wonders.... you can get the same flavors from one of those. Nothing unpleasant about it at all, just a complexity that enhances its pairing potential. Definitely old world.

[hotwine]

D came up with a new recipe to try tonight... a crock pot number consisting of chicken thighs, white beans, brown beans (?), peppers, onions, cilantro & sour cream. Pulled this one out of the cellar as kind of a wild-a$$ guess and bingo! Still a lush nose followed by Old World fruit on the palate, lip-smacking texture, chewy enough to maintain interest to the perfect finish, putting the peppers and cilantro to night-night. Her only complaint is that I've "kept this hidden from her". What can I say ? It sleeps in the cellar with the blond babe.

[TheEngineer]

I thought that you were more into the punk babes with pink hair and big blue eyes. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[hotwine]

Not me.