2013 Quinta dos Murças Red Blend Assobio Douro

“A value wine...”

2013 Quinta dos Murças Red Blend Assoio Douro DO

The name Assobio springs from the whistling sound made by the winds in the vineyard. The blend is 40 percent Tinta Roriz, 40 percent Touriga Franca, and 20 percent Touriga Nacional, with an average vine age of 20 years. Grapes were grown in loose schist in the Cima Corgo, on a steep hillside vineyard (no kidding: it’s a 40-degree slope).

Sulfurous at first, the wine needs decanting, at least 30 minutes. After that it opens into dark red fruits and dried resinous herbs. There are aromatic hits of tobacco, leather, and what I’ll call paneled room in sunlight. But the body is all bright cherries and red citrus, and its firm but pliant structure makes it a good match for savory preparations and cured meats. I served it with pappardelle with browned butter and fried sage leaves and it was perfect.

A value for those seeking the Touriga’s ruddy charms. Just give it some air.

14% abv | $13 (sample) Imported by Aidil Wines & Liquors

You may also enjoy my report on a tasting of fifty Portuguese wines:

http://makerstable.com/2016/04/23/tasting-fifty-great-wines-of-portugal/

 

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