I noticed the Quinta dos Grilos and since I mentioned before my knowledge of Portuguese wines is thin, I did not think too long before deciding to give it a try.
Opinions on this wine seem to be all over the map from Blue State Carpetbaggers who feels that the 2004 vintage was a great deal and managing to sniff some granite dust in the mix.
Tim Elliott of Winecast actually selected this Dao (2004 as well) for the Wine Blogging Wednesday on Portuguese Table Wines.
Czech musician, Ondřej Vrabec, a horn player as well as a conductor it seems, is also a wine aficionado and gives the 2003 vintage a 96 and a 88 to the 2004 offering in his Portugal Wine Ratings.
We get the Belgian review (in French, merci) via Vinogusto:
"La nouvelle vague du Dão...Ce producteur pousse la région du Dão en avant. Il faut savoir que c'est la plus ancienne A.O.C pour les vins rouges Portugais (1908) Nous avons ici un vin très rond, persistant et aux tannins bien présents. Fruits rouges, nuances d'épices et bois. Disponible en Belgique au prix de 6.50 €
Tasting date : Sat, 22/09/2007 ".
The Quinta dos Grilos comes from the village of Tonda and is one of the wines brought to us by Dao Sul.
I tasted the 2005 vintage.
Grape Varietals are Touriga National, Alfrocheiro and Tinto Roriz; after going through destemming, fermentation took place in stainless steel and last aging for 6 Months in French Oak.
Since 2005 had a hot summer, the harvest was done slightly earlier. These late stage warm weeks added to the full flavors of this Grilos (no Jiminy Cricket).
A nice table wine at around $10,00.
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