Cracked this one at the recommendation of my local product specialist. She drinks a fair bit of Portugese wines so knows them well. The wine is quite dark in color. On the nose there are some mild fruit, nothing I can pinpoint, and some oak. On the mid pallet there are some deep dark fruits, but they are quickly overwhelmed by high alcohol flavors. After two days the wine is still very alcohol dominant in the flavor. I’m not convinced breathing or aging will help this you either like it or don’t. Personally I don’t. There are some tannins on the finish and lots of pucker power. This is a big wine for sure. I would give it an 88. This is a bull in a china shop style. Don’t expect finesse.
From the LCBO web site:
CAVES SÃO JOÃO FREI JOÃO 2006 VINTAGES 144469 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Red Wine, 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Bairrada, Portugal By: Vinihold
Release Date: Nov 21, 2009
Tasting Note
The deeply coloured, fragrant and tannic Baga grape accounts for 90% of all red wines in the Bairrada district. This version successfully tames the tannins without sacrificing the fruit. Cherry, new leather, black plum and raspberry are the prime aromas here. Dry with plump fruit that is balanced ably by moderate tannins and soft acids. Cellar it short term (1-3 years) or enjoy it with rich meat-based pasta dishes or slow-cooked roast beef. (VINTAGES panel, July 2009)
