Cortes de Cima, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal

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The 2009 Tinto “Cortes de Cima,” labeled just that way with only the winery’s name, is the estate blend. In this vintage, it is a blend of Aragonez, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Touriga Nacional. It is often a pretty good value point in the lineup and is again this year. Rather suave and well constructed, this is a nice performance that seems solid, just a bit oak-tinged in its youth. It also features a medley of flavors, no doubt a result of the blend, that gives it character, a little complexity and substance. It is just a little tight around the edges at the moment, but its parts are well integrated and it should drink beautifully young. Drink now-2017. Cortes de Cima’s regular entrants showed quite well this year, the 2009s proving to be a rather successful vintage there. When I first tasted these in Portugal, they didn’t show overly well. A few months to pull themselves together helped a lot as the USA retastings went very well.Importers: Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, NY; tel. (914) 664-3155; Vinos Unico, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 531-3419; Vinum Wine Importers, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843.

A fresh-faced wine, bright with berry fruits, a light layer of tannins and a soft, easy texture. There is some stalkiness but this is great as a delicious, easy wine.——R.V.(8/1/2010)—— 86

The 2008 TINTO, the 'core' product from this winery, with just "CORTES DE CIMA" on the front label, was aged for 12 months in a blend of French (80%) and American oak. It is a blend of 52% Aragonez, 39% Syrah, and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional and Petit Verdot (under 5% each). This is an interesting wine, with a lot going on-sweet fruit and a touch of sweet oak underlying an earthier initial demeanor and aromatic. The whole comes together quite nicely in a rather elegant package, soft, gentle and restrained, fruity but showing some character to go with the bursts of flavor. Often one of the best intersections of price and quality in the winery's lineup, this shows rather attractively this year. There were 138,900 bottles produced. Drink now-2017. Importers: Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, NY; tel. (914) 664-3155; Vinos Unico, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 531-3419; Vinum Wine Importers, Seattle, WA; tel: (206) 621-8843.

The 2008 PETIT VERDOT was aged for 14 months in French oak. This is representative of Cortes de Cima's efforts of late to find grapes that handle Alentejo's heat. There's a lot here to like, including pretty good depth and structure, a well conceived whole. It is a rather herbaceous wine, though, with some funk and flavors that not everyone will appreciate. If it is to your liking, you'll like it better than I did. It is certainly a solidly constructed wine. There were just 800 bottles made. Drink now-2017. Importers: Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, NY; tel. (914) 664-3155; Vinos Unico, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 531-3419; Vinum Wine Importers, Seattle, WA; tel: (206) 621-8843.