Vibrant ruby with fluorescent purple edges.  A tiny oyster-sauce and vegetal funk blows off into rich, decadently ripe black cherry fruit with crisp warm barnyard layered over nice oak and leather.  Oh how I love Portuguese still-wines.  They are so rare in the United States–everyone thinks Portugal=Port–yet when you travel there, port is definitely the back seat to gallons and gallons of fabulous Daos, Douros, Barraidas, Vinho Verdes and on and on: available in every shop and practically running in the gutters at cafes and restaurants for astonishing low prices.  Yet somehow, finding them in the US is a odd experience.  This Douro is definitely of a style very approachable to the American palate, ripe and round and concentrated, but maintaining a delightful acidity.  In the mouth, the full aspect of the deep fruit carries the entire mouthfeel through the peppery acid and jarring tannin.  A stellar bottle, and such a deal.  A half-dozen of these in the rack would reward beautifully in the next decade.  13-0   ♦♦