Last Christmas, I was tasked with picking up some wine for the party. Despite running a $10 wine blog, and feeling particularly adept at this task, I couldn’t say no to a recommendation from my old wine professor. And wouldn’t you know it, that wine was freaking incredible! It was none other than Confidencial Reserva 2010; a Wine Enthusiast 92 point best buy.

Sight: Deep inky purple with an amethyst-ruby tinted edge.

Smell: The nose is a complex mesh of violets, blackberries, spice, and cedar. Deep jammy plums entangle with wild herbs and hints of syrupy balsamic. The nose is complexly spicy, jammy, and aromatic.

Sip: The body is like silk. Pure silk. Well balanced with spice and fruit, and it waffles from dark, jammy blackberries, to fresh plums, to macerated raspberry jam laced with cloves and cinnamon. The complexity is phenomenally lush, pulling in cedar, hints of herbs, and notes of roses and violets.

Savor: The ending is aggressively tannic, but refined, and has a roasted, spiced blackberry syrup element to it that gets increasingly spiced and aromatic as it goes.

Confidencial Reserva is an unbelievable wine at only $8. If you served this wine blind, I would assume that it’s easily a $50 bottle. Yet, these are the values Portugal continues to provide. For the family dinner at Christmas, it’s especially economical, and the great balance of tannin and acidity, mixed with huge fruit flavors will make any red drinker happy. If you haven’t tried Confidencial Reserva yet, it’s time you get out there and buy a bottle.

Verdict: Jammy Blackberries, Fresh Plums, Spice, Violet, Aromatic
Rating: 96
Price: $8
Lisboa, Portugal

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