Júlio Bastos, Dona Maria Grande Reserva 2012, Alentejo, Portugal

Tasting Note: An Alicante Bouschet (50%) red blend that combines lovely floral aromatics with a smooth body, and ripe, yet elegant black fruit.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has a pronounced-intensity, aromatic nose of black plum, blackberry, raspberry, black cherry, violet, and vanilla baking spice.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied red blend is silky in texture with supple, floral-infused, medium-plus-intensity, black-fruit flavors.

The wine is medium in acidity with ripe, smooth, medium-plus tannin and midpalate concentration.

The red blend percolates with flavor.

Bottle Note: Alicante Bouschet 50%, Petit Verdot 20%, Syrah 20%, Touriga Nacional 10%. This wine vinified with selected grapes from old vines of Alicante Bouschet, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Touriga Nacional which are fermented in ancient marble “lagares” using the traditional foot-treading method, is slowly matured in new French oak barrels for one year. This wine shows a dark ruby color and a rich wild fruit aroma, connecting with mint and spices. The flavor is intense and rich, with sikly tannins and a persistent finish.

This wine was submitted for review.