Wine Spectator's Top 100 for 2017

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Portugal has had quite the spectacular year in 2017. Every travel publication has had Portugal sitting high on their list of places that is a must visit with travelers the world over, this includes highlighting one of the most underrated wine regions around, Alentejo. Everywhere you look, people are actively seeking out experiences in Portugal, and drinking their increasingly popular wines is no exception. 

The much anticipated Wine Spectator Top 100 wines list for 2017 is once again showcasing the high quality wines coming out of Portugal. The Douro valley is still king, but Lisbon also is making quite a showing on this year's list.

 

#50 Quinta das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional Douro

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2014 / 90 PTS / $22

Supple but tightly knit, this focused red offers blackberry and currant fruit woven together with black olive, anise and grilled herb accents. Black tea and mineral notes chime in on the firm finish. Structure gives this wine a firm character that allows it to age.  Complex, full bodied, medium finish. 

Ideal for roasts, stews, or perhaps a medium steak.

 

#60 Casa Santos Lima – Lisboa Colossal Reserva 

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2015 / 90 pts / $25

With an intense rubi color, this wine presents itself with a great concentration in the nose. Extremely rich aroma with predominance of red ripe fruits and some floral notes, well integrated with notes of spices coming from the ageing in French and American oak barrels. In the mouth, it shows great complexity with notes of plums and blackberries. The finish is rich and elegant.

Pairs well with grilled or robust red meats,  game, charcuterie, hard cheese.

 

#88 Fonseca Vintage Port Guimarâens

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2015 / 93 pts / $58

A bottle aged Port. This is warm and lush in feel, and really well-built, with layers of blueberry, açaí berry and plum reduction flavors rolling through, laced with hints of ganache and fruitcake. Lots of graphite-edged grip lines the finish.

Have it alongside walnuts and cheeses such as Cashel Blue and Roquefort.

 

#98 Prats & Symington – Douro Chryseia

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2014 / 94 pts / $75

A powerful and concentrated red, featuring kirsch, red plum and baker’s chocolate notes, balanced by tarragon, slate and violet details. Elegant, with supple tannins framing the long finish, which is laced with hot stone, olive and licorice accents.

Finely accompanies red meats, roast beef and grilled meats.

Sandra Gomes