Few Countries offer better value around the £10 a bottle mark than Portugal and, in my opinion, one of the very best at this price point is Quatro Ventos from the Douro valley. I remember this wine blowing me away at a Wines of Portugal tasting back in 2019 and then one week later my enthusiasm was endorsed when it was awarded 95 points in Decanter magazine. Ever since then this wine has been a mainstay of my list as with every vintage its quality/price ratio continues to, well, blow me away. So, when I was offered a bit of a ‘tempter’ on half a pallet by the winery, their metaphorical hand was swiftly bitten off.
The wine is from an estate in the Douro region, close to the northeast Spanish border, and is a blend of 40% Tinta Roriz, 30% Touriga Franca & 30% Tinta Barroca. It is all stainless-steel fermentation so has a wonderful purity of fruit. It is made by Balcahôa who, although are one of the Country’s largest producers, have invested heavily in lesser known regions and been instrumental in putting Portuguese still wines on the map. 2021 was a slightly cooler year and that has given the wine excellent balance with plenty of freshness underlying the juicy fruit. Quatro Ventos really is a great example of the quality being produced in Portugal at this price point.
2021 Quinta dos Quatro Ventos, DOC Douro, Usual Price – £10 per bottle
Offer Price – £9.50 per bottle
“Ripe and plummy from the off with plenty of dark fruits and a hint of liquorice on the nose. Bags of fruit on the palate with touches of pepper and spice. The juicy fruit continues on the finish but there’s a wonderful freshness that entices you to keep quaffing. Cracking value.” Jonny Wren
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