Review: 2018 Quinta de Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet DOC

We’ve covered Symington’s Quinta da Fonte Souto white blend on several occasions, but never its red: this alicante bouschet is a signature variety of southern Portugal’s Alentejo region. These grapes are grown at Symington’s 511-acre Quinta da Fonte Souto estate in Portalegre.

The resulting wine is dark purple, completely opaque — perhaps best thought of as Portugal’s answer to American syrah. Dense and beefy, it’s rolling with savory overtones from the start that run its core currant notes through bacon fat and brambly earth. I waited ages for this to open up but never had much luck, the finished product remaining tight and meaty, its fruit clearly locked away somewhere inside. Perhaps some years in cellar will reveal more of its charms.

B / $43 / symington.com

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