Portugal — wine

Douro

One of the world's great wine regions — the steep schist terraces above the Douro river in northern Portugal where Port wine has been produced for three centuries. The Douro is now equally celebrated for its unfortified table wines — dense, complex blends of indigenous varieties (Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca) that represent some of Portugal's finest dry reds. The region's extreme continental climate, poor schist soils, and ancient vine stocks create wines of extraordinary concentration, complexity, and longevity.

Year Rating Notes
2020 One of the Douro's great decades-defining vintages. Touriga Nacional of extraordinary depth and structure. Top wines will age 30+ years.
2019 Long, warm growing season producing wines of great concentration and freshness. Outstanding across all categories.
2017 Exceptional vintage — concentrated, structured wines of great complexity.
2016 Balanced, elegant vintage with natural freshness. Wines of great mid-term aging potential.
2015 Hot year producing powerful, full-bodied wines. Some lack the freshness of cooler vintages.