Review: Quinta dos Murças, Minas

For years, Portuguese wines have been something I’ve sought out, due to the tremendous price-to-quality ratio I’ve found in them. But I’ve done a lot more seeking than finding due to limited availability in my region. In many stores I’d be lucky to find one or two Portuguese wines and they were often placed on the shelves labeled, “Spain” as though Portugal and Spain were the same country.

Fortunately, that’s starting to change and more wine distributors, retailers and of course consumers are discovering the amazing wines they can get from Portugal at outright bargain prices.

One such wine is showcased here, Minas, from Quinta dos Murças. This wine comes from the Douro wine region in northern Portugal, which you may know as the region where grapes are grown for Port wine. But Port isn’t the only wine coming from this region. There are some amazing dry red and white wines coming out of the Douro.

Quinto dos Murças, Minas is made from a blend of Portuguese grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão. To me, discovering and trying different varieties like this is one of the interesting aspects to wine.

The vineyards for this wine are along the right bank of the Douro river at elevations between 360 and 985 feet. In this area there are five water springs that help cool the region, impacting the climate for these grapes. These springs are called, “Minas,” hence the name of the wine.

The nose of this wine has character with aromas such as dark chocolate, blackberries and wildflowers. Bright blackberry and cherry flavors pop on the palate, followed by a saltiness. It has a rich, slightly tannic mouthfeel. The finish is relatively long and mouthwatering.

It’s elegant, it’s big, it’s an incredible wine for this price.

Wine: Quinta dos Murças, Minas
Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 90
Average price: $20.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.