This is a mid-range Douro red with quite some pedigree behind it. Launched in 2007, Duorum is a joint venture between José Soares Franco, one of Portugal’s foremost oenologists of Barca Velha fame (amongst numerous other great wines), and one of the Alentejo’s leading winemakers João Portugal Ramos.
Soares Franco, of the family who used to own the José Maria da Fonseca winery in Setúbal, has spent most of his career with wine giant Sogrape, putting his name to every Barca Velha vintage since 1981, whilst João Portugal Ramos’ claims to fame include producing the first ever Portuguese wine (Vila Santa) to be served in First Class on British Airways.
These are without a doubt two of Portugal’s top winemakers and hence we should expect nothing less than excellence from this joint venture.
I have yet to try the Reserva made from old vines but this 2011 colheita, priced at €9.95 in Apolónia, offers a lot of Douro for the money.
Deep red in colour with powerful aromas of ripe berry fruits and plums, this is a full-bodied wine with well integrated tannins and a long finish. The wine is made from a typical blend of Douro varieties: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, matured mostly in used French oak with a small proportion in new American oak for 10 months.
The perfect match for a richly-flavoured beef or lamb stew, the 2011 is already drinking extremely well but another few years in the bottle would certainly reap rewards.
Promotional price at Apolónia supermarket (valid from Thursday January 30 to Wednesday February 5)
DUORUM COLHEITA 2011 €8.95 (retail price €9.95)
By PATRICK STUART [email protected]
