by Joe Moryl » Wed Apr 27, 2016 9:58 pm
In Portugal is actually difficult to find Alfrocherio by itself - it usually shows up as blend, most commonly from the Dao. A very typical Dao red would be something like 40% Touriga National, 30% Alfrocherio and 30% Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo in Spain, Aragonez in the south of Portugal). I may have had a few pure Alfrocherios, but not any distinguished ones (but not blaming the grape - I think they were cheap wines). Perdigao is a smallish, organic (may even be biodynamic) producer that bottles this grape on its own (as do a few other quality Dao producers, e.g. Quinta das Roques - but not many make it to the US). From my experience with their red blend and white Encruzado bottlings, I'm not sure the wine making isn't a bit too natural too, which may explain the pruney notes. Still, there are a lot of interesting grapes from Portugal which are hard to get a handle on due to the fact that they are mostly found in blends.
