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October 19, 2013
DFJ received 26 excellent ratings, 23 Best Buys and 2 Cellar Selection in Wine Enthusiast 2013. Also relevant DFJ get two wines with the rating of 92, two with 91 and four with 90.
- Francos Reserva
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2009
13% alc. Vol.
92 points - Cellar Selection
" A blend of northern and southern Portuguese grapes, this is a seriously firm wine that's structured and dense. Spice black plums are layered with big, drying tannins and acidity, which promise long aging for this impressive wine. Drink from 2017. -R.V."
- Consensus
Pinot Noir & Touriga Nacional
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2008
13.5% alc. Vol.
91 points Online Exclusive
"This 50-50 blend of Pinot Noir and Touriga Nacional works surprisingly well. It has weight, but also a smooth texture and juicy swathes of black plum and red berry fruits. Juicy fruit flavors are encased in a firm, tannic shell that's solid and dark. The wine is drinkable now after decanting, but could benefit from... - R.V."
- Grand'Arte Alvarinho
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
12.5% alc. Vol.
90 points Online Exclusive
"A rounded wine with spiced pear and citrus fruits, this is juicy and full bodied. A touch of texture minerality gives a sense of structure. It0s still young and needs aging. Drink from 2015 - R.V."
- VEGA
Douro DOC red wine 2011
13.5% alc. Vol.
90 points - Best Buy
" This is a firmly structured, dark wine. It has black cherry and berry fruit, a solid core of tannins and tight acidity. With its dense character, there is every chance of this impressive aging well, yelding a more rounded wine. Drink from 2016. Dionysos Imports Inc. - R.V."
- PAXIS
Douro DOC red wine 2011
13.5% alc. Vol.
90 points - Best Buy
" The Douro version of Paxis is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. It is a rounded, smooth and spicy wine, with weight and richness. Packed with red berries and plums, it is fruity and structures, with tannins providing a strong basis of support. Drink from 2014. Dionysos Imports Inc. - R.V."
- Grand'Arte Chardonnay
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
12.5% alc. Vol.
89 points Online Exclusive
"This is an impressive, ripe wine with creamed green and white fruits layred with a citrus character. It's full in the mouth - rounded and finely textured - to give a serious, while still very fruity wine that could age, so drink from 2014 - R.V."
- Point West
Alvarinho - Chardonnay
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
12.5% alc. Vol.
87 points Best Buy and Online Exclusive
"Two complementary grapes produce this ripe wine that's full of citrus flavors and balanced with pear and peach. It's rounded and rich in its texture, with a touch of honey to go eith lemon acidity on the finish - R.V."
- Point West
Touriga Nacional
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2009
13.0% alc. Vol.
87 points Best Buy
"This wine emphasizes the fruit of Touriga Nacional rather than its struture. Ripe red-plum fruits dominate, cushioning acidity and tannins with fruity richness. It's for drinking now or aging until 2015 - R.V."
- Portada
Winemakers Selection
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2010
87 points Best Buy
"A serious, rich wine, this is full of ripe berry fruits and structured tannins that highlight a dry core. It's a complex wine with a light touch of acidity, a pinch of pepper and a firm aftertaste that suggests medium-term aging. Drink between 2014-2020 - R.V."
- Coreto
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
12.5% alc. Vol.
86 points Best Buy and Online Exclusive
" Frangant and fruity, this is a bright, crisp and clean wine that's totally ready to drink. Lively, with cool feeling like the nearby ocean's breezes., it finishes with light acidity - R.V."
- Portada
Winemakers Selection
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
12.0% alc. Vol.
85 points Best Buy and Online Exclusive
"Soft and creamily fruity, this is an attractive, fresh wine. It has citrus fruit and apple-skin flavors and crisp, clean acidity. For drinking over the next year - R.V."
- Portada
Winemakers Selection
Vinho Regional de Lisboa rose 2012
12.0% alc. Vol.
85 points Best Buy and Online Exclusive
"Smooth and soft with strawberry and dried-fruit flavors, this is a dry rosé with plenty of ripe fruit to balance the acidity on the palate. The aftertaste is fresh and delicate - R.V."
- Coreto
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2011
11.5% alc. Vol.
85 points Best Buy
"A fruity, lightly tannic wine, this has ripe berry-fruit flavors and a soft texture. Smooth and light, it's a fresh style of wine, easy on the red fruits and with a spicy aftertaste. Screwcap - R.V."
- Coreto
Vinho Regional Lisboa rose 2012
12.0% alc. Vol.
84 points Best Buy and Exclusive Online
"Light and fruity, this is full of crusched-strawberry flavors and attractive acidity. It's a fresh wine with the flavor of vanilla on the finish. Screwcap. - R.V."
- Quinta do Rocio
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2008
92 points CELLAR SELECTION
"DFJ Vinhos manages this 16th century property which has produced a now mature wine. It has great balance, the berry fruits moving to secondary flavors of spice, smokiness, sweet tannins and hints of toast. It’s ready to drink, but will continue to develop through 2017. — R.V. "
- Aluado Alicante Bouschet
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2012
91 points and BEST BUY
"Rarely used on its own, Alicante Bouschet from the cooler Lisboa region can obviously produce an impressively structured wine. Naturally juicy, the wine also has firmer tannins, damson fruit flavors and balancing acidity. Drink now, or keep until 2015. — R.V."
- Fonte do Beco Castelão
Vinho Regional Península de Setúbal red 2011
90 points and BEST BUY
"The full juiciness of Castelão is balanced by spice and structure from wood maturation. The result is a smooth, textured wine, firm with tannins for aging. It is rich, smoky, dry and edgy at this young stage. Drink from 2016. — R.V. "
- DFJ Alvarinho-Chardonnay
Vinho Regional de Lisboa white 2012
87 Points and BEST BUY
"A full-bodied, ripe wine that has lively acidity along with fresh pear and crisp apple flavors. There’s just a touch of sweetness to bring out the richness of the wine. Age this wine for another six months before drinking. — R.V."
- Segada
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
87 Points and BEST BUY
"This is a rich wine, smoky with vanilla and apple flavors. It has some good intensity, as well as a textured character that gives it some aging potential. Bright, fresh acidity cuts through the riper fruits. Drink now and until 2019. — R.V."
- Segada
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2010
87 Points and BEST BUY
"With Merlot in the blend, this is a smooth, rich wine. It is well structured, showing firm tannins as well as dried fruits, red berries and a foursquare, chunky character. There’s a nice touch of acidity to keep it all fresh. Drink from 2015. — R.V. "
- Paxis
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2010
87 Points and BEST BUY
"This is a full, fruity, rich and concentrated wine. It has bright red berries, some firm tannins and a good dense texture. It’s also light and crisp, with acidity that cuts through the ripe fruitiness. Drink now through 2019. — R.V."
- Pedras do Monte
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2010
87 Points and BEST BUY
"A dark colored red that is firmly tannic as well as ripe and fruity. The wine is spicy and earthy, redolent of dried fruits, like figs and red berries. With its solid texture, it can age; drink from 2015. — R.V."
- Monte Alentejano Reserva
Vinho Regional Alentejano red 2010
87 Points and BEST BUY
"This rich and smooth, vanilla-flavored wine shows the big-hearted fruitiness of Alentejo wines. It has spice, soft tannins, plenty of ripe red plum and fruit flavors. It does not need aging, a fruity wine that is ready to drink. — R.V."
- Paxis Arinto
Vinho Regional Lisboa white 2012
86 Points and BEST BUY
"This soft and fruity wine is crisp, fragrant and fresh. It has light acidity that balances with the forward apple flavor, as well as a dry lime edginess and nervy texture. Drink now. Screw cap. — R.V."
- Alta Corte
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2010
85 Points and BEST BUY
"A blend of the rare Caladoc, a specialty of DFJ Vinhos, and Tinta Roriz, this is a soft, juicy, fruity and forward wine. It has bright red-berry fruit and light tannins, along with just a hint of wood aging. It’s very ready to drink. Screw cap. — R.V."
- Casa do Lago Touriga Nacional-Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinho Regional Lisboa red 2010
85 Points and BEST BUY
"This is a soft, rounded and fruity wine that is already ready to drink. It has dark berry notes, spicy accents and a strong layer of acidity to keep it fresh. Tannins show through gently, softly, just enough to give the wine structure. Drink now and until 2018. — R.V. "
