Portugal makes Red Wine?

I thought Portugal only made Ports. Those sweet delicious after dinner drinks that I love so much! Who doesn't like something sweet after dinner, come on. A combination of five grape varieties go into port wine: Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cão, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Francesa. Rarely are any other grapes used. These are also the same grapes you will see in most of the table wines. I have tried about 6 different Portugal red wines but have only found a few of them to tickle my fancy. If you like not so heavy red wines you will love this next wine. Usually for me the bigger the Red Wine the better, but it is nice to see a wine that has a lot of character without having to be huge.

Domini Douro Red 2005 ($14)

Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz grapes were used in the making of this wine. Ruby red color that fades around the outside of the glass. This is not a bad thing but just lets you know it's going to be a lighter style wine. Fresh berries on the nose, Blackberry and Raspberry with a hint of smokey vanilla but not to much. A very nice but subtle blackberry and cherry notes on the palate with medium tannins but nothing over the top. Great with grilled meats or just by itself, just the way I like my wines. VERSATILE!!! Solid 89pts