Wine of the Week

Aveleda
2006 Follies Touriga Nacional
Bairrada, Portugal

The Aveleda family of northern Portugal has been well-known for their advanced grape growing methods as early as the mid-nineteenth century. Excluding fortified wines like port, their family-owned company is now considered one of the three most significant wineries in Portugal. In 1998, they decided to embark on a new challenge, producing a world-class red wine from a new region. On the nose, the wine offers an inviting blend of dark fruit including black currant and blackberry mingled with chocolate, tobacco and oak. A full-bodied, yet surprisingly elegant wine for the price, its up-front berry flavors are balanced by earthy, spicy notes at the back of the palate. Try it with an herb-roasted lamb shank, beef or wild boar ragout or a plate of aged, hard cheeses, figs and almonds.

Rating: 14.5/20
Price: $18