WTN: Porca De Murca Reserva Branco 2004

From Real Companhia Velha. Douro.

Have you ever noticed how, sometimes, a wine catches you by surprise? Well, as the Brits would say, this wine left me gobsmacked.

Big, rich and complex, very spicy and peppery, pears, light lemon and ruby grapefruit, with a hint of orange as it warmed, lightly honeyed, zippy acidity.

A long, zesty grapefruit and lemon peel finish.

A great summer wine and good QPR at $15.95 Canadian.

I've been avidly sucking down this wine since Jason Brandt Lewis introduced me to it a couple of years ago ("Hoke, this is Porca de Murca. Porca de Murca, this is Hoke.")

You're right: it's good stuff, and it's not pricy. What's not to like?

[James Roscoe]

I've been avidly sucking down this wine since Jason Brandt Lewis introduced me to it a couple of years ago

Where is JBL these days? Did he go off in a huff? My memory is that he was a very passionate poster on the old site. I miss those days. I guess Robin doesn't.

[Robin Garr]

Where is JBL these days? Did he go off in a huff? My memory is that he was a very passionate poster on the old site. I miss those days. I guess Robin doesn't.

JBL turns up on occasion, and he's always welcome here. He's an old and good friend, and I don't believe that he's on huff hiatus. But married-with-children status has likely changed his lifestyle.

Do I miss "the old days"? Looking over the new forum, I don't see any really major changes. In retrospect, it would probably have been better if we could have skipped the Netscape adventure, but it certainly seemed like the right idea at the time, and it wasn't just a snap, spur-of-the-moment decision. Now it's starting to look more like a bump in the road. I loved the old forum, and I love the new forum, and I don't see a really major qualitative difference between them. Why would you think I don't miss it, James?

James, Jason is not in a Huff. He traded that off and has a Saab right now.

Naw, he's just living a richly complex life right now. There's a lot going on at the moment with him. He and the family just got back from a great trip to Europe, as a matter of fact.

He's not into posting as much as he used to be, it's true. But trust me, he's still drinking lots of wine and eating good food. I'd even venture to say he's as happy right now as he's ever been.

I've been avidly sucking down this wine since Jason Brandt Lewis introduced me to it a couple of years ago ("Hoke, this is Porca de Murca. Porca de Murca, this is Hoke.")

You're right: it's good stuff, and it's not pricy. What's not to like?

For a few dollars more ($17.95 Canadian), the LCBO is offering the 2001 Tinto. Have you any experience with the red?

I've been avidly sucking down this wine since Jason Brandt Lewis introduced me to it a couple of years ago ("Hoke, this is Porca de Murca. Porca de Murca, this is Hoke.")

You're right: it's good stuff, and it's not pricy. What's not to like?

For a few dollars more ($17.95 Canadian), the LCBO is offering the 2001 Tinto. Have you any experience with the red?

Sorry, it's only the white that I've had, Bruce.

From Real Companhia Velha. Douro.

Have you ever noticed how, sometimes, a wine catches you by surprise? Well, as the Brits would say, this wine left me gobsmacked.

Big, rich and complex, very spicy and peppery, pears, light lemon and ruby grapefruit, with a hint of orange as it warmed, lightly honeyed, zippy acidity.

A long, zesty grapefruit and lemon peel finish.

A great summer wine and good QPR at $15.95 Canadian.

Thanks for the heads up Bruce, will have to look out for this one. Nice white.