Review: 2019 Mary Taylor Filipe Ferreira Douro Red Blend

For those unfamiliar with her process, Mary Taylor works with individual growers in small villages throughout Europe who produce regionally-distinctive wines beyond the great grapes of the canon, but who may not have production resources or logistics to distribute globally. A few weeks ago, we reviewed a Sicilia Rosso offered by Taylor in partnership with the Sala sisters of western Sicily. Today, we’re trying a red blend from the Douro region of Northern Portugal, made by Filipe Ferreira of Quinta da Foz winery. This blend was made using 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and 15% Touriga Franca, and was aged in stainless steel tanks.

Opening big with a dense core of black cherry and roasted plum, it unfolds with time and some air and balances the fruit with notes of tobacco leaf, pencil graphite, and new leather. It never really ceases to keep things compelling courtesy of big tannins, medium acidity, and a drying finish, allowing the savory elements to shine from start to finish. Ideal partnering for a hefty session of grilled food: eggplant for vegetarians, wagyu for carnivores.

B+ / $17 / mt.wine

The post Review: 2019 Mary Taylor Filipe Ferreira Douro Red Blend appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.