Golfer's Wine Red 2006
(see side bar)

This is a wine specially bottled for the Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort and was brought back from Portugal by Claudio for me to try. It was splendid, a perfect red from the Douro to sip after a round of golf or with a meal of grilled meats. It's loaded with juicy blackberry-cherry fruit, and playful oak spice on the nose. It's a big dense red that's chock full of powerful fruits on the palate with touches of tar and licorice.

Vista TR Tinta Roriz 2005 ($12)

From one of Portugal's largest, privately-owned wineries comes this bargain red made primarily from tinta roriz grapes. On the nose, look for thick raspberry notes followed by mocha spice and oak. The palate reveals jammy plum and red fruits that are rich and flavourful. A well done wine for the price.

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port
(when released about $80)

Port comes in many styles and price points but it is the Vintage Ports that wine lovers most associate with Portugal. It is exquisite stuff and Taylor Fladgate is the best of the best. It's certainly the most collected in the world and, arguably, in a perfect vintage, the most profound, delightful and stylistic Port on the planet.

Vintage Port is coveted for its longevity, which can extend for decades. It is only made in outstanding years with the most dominating factor being ageability — the wines must have masses of tannins and the fruit to back it up. The wines are bottled after two or three years of oak aging and then should spend many more, perhaps decades, improving in the bottle. Port generally has aromas of cherry, plum, blackberry, violet and fruit extract that evolves in the glass. In the mouth the firm, ripe tannins show raw power yet yield sweet cassis, raspberry, plum and classy spices. A perfect match for Stilton or other blue cheeses.