Monte velho is the budget red from Esporao - a producer that transformed the perception of Portuguese table wines when it started in the 1990s. It's a blend of Iberian varieties, aragonez (aka tempranillo, the Rioja grape), touriga nacional, and trincadeira with a French interloper, syrah. This is a gutsy, flavour-packed red with a refreshing bite to it that makes it particularly good with fatty food like chorizo.
Lovely spicy nose, wild herbs, dark fruit, ripe and full - almost like a young vintage port. Refreshing and spicy on the palate with leathery tannins.
