Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Quinta de Cidrô – Alvarinho – 2023
Douro DOC – Douro Valley / Portugal 🇵🇹

Overview
100% Alvarinho from the Cima Corgo sub-region of the Douro Valley, grown at higher elevations where altitude and continental influence preserve freshness and aromatic precision. This Portuguese expression leans more textural and mineral-driven than many Rías Baixas examples, with ripeness kept in check by vibrant acidity.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, citrus peel, white peach, subtle orange blossom, fresh herbs, and a delicate saline–mineral edge that reflects the Douro’s schist soils.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a lively, crisp attack. Bright acidity carries the wine across the palate, while a gentle phenolic grip adds structure and depth. Clean, focused, and persistent on the finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp or prawns, ceviche, seared scallops, herb-marinated chicken, Portuguese bacalhau preparations, fresh goat cheese, or simply as an aperitif on a warm day.

Verdict
A balanced, refreshing, and highly expressive Alvarinho that showcases Portuguese terroir beautifully. The ripe pineapple character is distinctive without feeling tropical or overripe, making this wine both appetizing and dangerously drinkable.

Did You Know?
While Alvarinho is most famously associated with northern Portugal and Galicia, Douro-grown examples like this one often show more texture and mineral depth due to altitude and schist soils rather than Atlantic proximity.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits comfortably among my top white wines from Portugal. I love how it differentiates itself from classic Rías Baixas Albarinho, more structure, more terroir expression, and just enough richness to stay compelling sip after sip.
— a day ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. Os Canivéis Letra F Douro tinto. From sister and brother winemakers Joana and António Maçanita. Letra F refers to the lowest quality vineyards for the production of Port wines, but the Maçanitas argue that there are hidden treasures among these vineyards with very old vines. This is a field blend of 11 varieties from a vineyard in Carlão, Cima Corgo with vines between 80 and 92 years old at an attitude of 510 m. with extremely low yields (1800 kg/ ha). Aged in neutral oak. Give it some time to open up. Floral nose with raspberries lurking in the background. Medium-bodied with bright red fruit, with a focus more on freshness and elegance than sheer power, even if it features a seriously tannic backbone. Good length with retronasal fruit and minerality. Tiny production of 666 bottles ( the number of the beast, so drink at your own risk!). Abv. 14,5%. — 3 years ago

Doug Powers

9.0

[45% Trincadeira, 15% Alfrocheiro, 22% Alicante Bouschet, and 18% Aragonez] Medium-dark color, a tad reduced aromatically, redfruits, moderately oak, very nice acidity to balance, medium-long finish, not a blockbuster but certainly another very good Portuguese red!! — a year ago

with Jim

Jason Keefer

8.9

For the Baixo Corgo version. Tastes like vacation in Portugal! Simple but delicious and affordable! A mix of fresh and stewed fruit with a slightly woodsy finish. — 2 years ago

with Natasha

Severn G

9.1

2020 | White Blend
Quinta Nova; Grainha Reserva
Cima Corgo; Douro Valley, Portugal

Quite pleased here, ~$25; Blind this is a pretty decent Bourgogne Blanc, 91-92 points.

Blend appears to be Viosinho, Gouveio & Rabigato. — 3 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Field blend of Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Viosinho, Donzelinho and Gouveio from 80 years old vines on schist soils. Vineyard on the right bank of the Douro River, in the prime Cima Corgo zone, at an altitude of 400-600 metres. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for 6 months in oak. Clean, precise nose with citrus (tangerine), floral notes and and subtle oak. Fresh, linear, medium bodied, dry. Good minerality and acidity. Very tasty — 4 years ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

This time it was 👍 — a year ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Mostly Rabigato. Named “Xisto” after the schist soils of the Cima Corgo. Sun drenched orchard fruits. Honeysuckle. Broad minerality. Think I would guess Chenin in a blind. Maybe Aligote? — 2 years ago

Randy Fillingim

9.1

I am not quite sure of the varietals in this blend. .  However, the fruit and the acidity is in near perfect harmony. A really nice tasting blanco from Portugal.  — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2015 vintage. A joint venture between the Roquette (Quinta do Crasto) and Cazes (Lynch Bages) families. Only produced from the best barrels in exceptional years. Old vines of Touriga Nacional, Tina Roriz and Touriga Franca from the Douro Superior and Cima Corgo sub-regions. Black fruit and violets. Seriously powerful, but it maintains elegance, thanks to the acidity balancing the layers of fruit and ripe tannins. Long lingering finish. Impressive. Abv. 14,5 % . — 3 years ago