Quinta da Romaneira, “Sino da Romaneira” Tinto

Tasting Douro wine brings me joy unlike any other: This ancient land is where I cut my wine teeth, so when I taste one that performs at such a high level for so little, it’s worth a grand unveiling.“I am convinced that the Douro can also produce great unfortified red wines, capable of long aging and capable of taking their place among the great wines of the world,” says legendary Romainera owner Christian Seely. I’m right there with him. Having worked in the Douro Valley during my early years and tiptoed along its vertiginous, vine-covered hillsides, this place and their wines hold a dear spot in my heart. And today’s 2013 “Sino da Romaneira,” with its masterful blend of indigenous grapes, six years of maturation, and remarkably low price, has awed our entire team. This is one of the finest undercover values in wine, and there’s absolutely no rush to enjoy it because every ounce of freshness that was originally captured has staunchly remained in the bottle. Vines have been planted at R