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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage
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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2021

Quinta da Fonte Souto

Florao Red

From the Symingtons’ first project outside of the Douro, this red blend is aged 75% for six months in third and fourth-year 400L French oak. Aromas of toast, ripe blue and black plums, dried violets, black pepper, and green herbs kick things off. In the mouth, youthful fruit and approachable freshness make this instantly appealing, and hints of leather add a nice touch of complexity. – J.R.

2022

Quinta do Vesuvio

Pombal do Vesuvio

Named for the terraced vineyards surrounding this often underrated estate’s ancient dovecote (“pombal” in Portuguese), this release hails from a hot and dry vintage (even by modern Douro standards). Exceptionally spicy on the nose, with green and dried herbs, pepper, violets, and wild blackberry notes. On the palate, this is ripe, plummy, dense, and full, with tannins that carry a dusty edge. Delicious now, this will be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring. – J.R.

2024

Mendes & Symington

Contacto Alvarinho

The plethora of citrus aromas is wild, but the rest of this structured, mineral, and lengthy bargain is elegant and refined. One of the more unique renderings of this variety that you’re likely to encounter, it sports hints of white tea along with its abundant lemony flavors. – J.R.

2024

Mendes & Symington

Contacto Loureiro

A jaunty—and lovely—take on one of Portugal’s under-appreciated white varieties (at least in terms of showing off its more sophisticated side), after handpicking this sipper spends three months on the fine lees with regular batonnage. Floral and citric, the jasmine and saline notes show impressive purity, while the palate balances elegance and crunchy acidity in equal measures. – J.R.

2024

Quinta da Fonte Souto

Florao White

This Symington project is quickly becoming one of Alentejo’s most impressive producers. Here, they’ve blended Arinto and Verdelho into a mineral, citric, and vivacious white (aged six months in stainless steel vats). Just-ripe tropical fruit flavors and excellent freshness mark the palate, leading into a heady, floral finish. – J.R.

NV

Dow's

Ten Year Old Tawny Porto

This succulent, spicy 10-year is nothing if not consistent. Rich toffee and vanilla bean aromas entice, while the caramel, toasted nut, and dried fig and cherry flavors make it a perfect match for a slice of pecan pie. – J.R.

NV

W&J Graham's

Six Grapes Special Vila Velha Edition Reserve Port

This is a Reserve with the “seriousness” factor dialed up a notch. The fruit is sourced from Quinta da Vila Velha, purchased by James Yumington in the late 1980s. Deep, dark, and downright brooding, this shows hints of resin, mint, dried black figs, mocha, and succulent blackcurrants. The palate carries both power and refinement, almost like a young Vintage Port. – J.R.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2021

Producer

Name

From the Symingtons’ first project outside of the Douro, this red blend is aged 75% for six months in third and fourth-year 400L French oak. Aromas of toast, ripe blue and black plums, dried violets, black pepper, and green herbs kick things off. In the mouth, youthful fruit and approachable freshness make this instantly appealing, and hints of leather add a nice touch of complexity. – J.R.

2022

Producer

Name

Named for the terraced vineyards surrounding this often underrated estate’s ancient dovecote (“pombal” in Portuguese), this release hails from a hot and dry vintage (even by modern Douro standards). Exceptionally spicy on the nose, with green and dried herbs, pepper, violets, and wild blackberry notes. On the palate, this is ripe, plummy, dense, and full, with tannins that carry a dusty edge. Delicious now, this will be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring. – J.R.

2024

Producer

Name

The plethora of citrus aromas is wild, but the rest of this structured, mineral, and lengthy bargain is elegant and refined. One of the more unique renderings of this variety that you’re likely to encounter, it sports hints of white tea along with its abundant lemony flavors. – J.R.

2024

Producer

Name

A jaunty—and lovely—take on one of Portugal’s under-appreciated white varieties (at least in terms of showing off its more sophisticated side), after handpicking this sipper spends three months on the fine lees with regular batonnage. Floral and citric, the jasmine and saline notes show impressive purity, while the palate balances elegance and crunchy acidity in equal measures. – J.R.

2024

Producer

Name

This Symington project is quickly becoming one of Alentejo’s most impressive producers. Here, they’ve blended Arinto and Verdelho into a mineral, citric, and vivacious white (aged six months in stainless steel vats). Just-ripe tropical fruit flavors and excellent freshness mark the palate, leading into a heady, floral finish. – J.R.

NV

Producer

Name

This succulent, spicy 10-year is nothing if not consistent. Rich toffee and vanilla bean aromas entice, while the caramel, toasted nut, and dried fig and cherry flavors make it a perfect match for a slice of pecan pie. – J.R.

NV

Producer

Name

This is a Reserve with the “seriousness” factor dialed up a notch. The fruit is sourced from Quinta da Vila Velha, purchased by James Yumington in the late 1980s. Deep, dark, and downright brooding, this shows hints of resin, mint, dried black figs, mocha, and succulent blackcurrants. The palate carries both power and refinement, almost like a young Vintage Port. – J.R.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2021

2021 Quinta da Fonte Souto Florao Red

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Quinta do Vesuvio Pombal do Vesuvio

Still Wine

$

2024

2024 Mendes & Symington Contacto Alvarinho

Still Wine

$

2024

2024 Mendes & Symington Contacto Loureiro

Still Wine

$

2024

2024 Quinta da Fonte Souto Florao White

Still Wine

$

NV

NV Dow’s Ten Year Old Tawny Porto

Fortified Wine

$

NV

NV W&J Graham’s Six Grapes Special Vila Velha Edition Reserve Port

Fortified Wine

$

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