This is a true classic example of a Dao region red wine blend from the regions most interesting producer. I really like the aromas of fruit and berries this wine reveals. It's still young but I think Castro manges to bring out the best in the earthy expression of minerality typical of Dao wines. It's complex yet well balanced. I like the hint of smoke and spice it reveals for a relatively young wine. It's excellent value for the money!

I'm interested in seeing how it develops after some time in the cellar!

Nice blend of local Dao portuguese grapes which I am starting to love. I think this wine is a shining example of quality and future of Dao wines. To me it has a very interesting aroma of berry and dark cherry. It's not overaly fruity but simple and elegant and very well made. There is definitely some savoury dark tannins and spice on the palate and it has great structure. A really nice, drinkable wine at an excelent value. Certainly one to buy and cellar at this great price. Tasted July 2012

Dark berry, olivey, vegetal nose, a trace of camphor-like volatility.

Medium-full body. Sweet and tart palate; Stewed blackberries, sour cranberries, warm spice, slightly minty. Nice concentration. Plenty of acidity and balanced tannins make this a very good food wine. Medium-length tart finish.

This is drinking just fine now but it will certainly hold for some years.

A fairly complex, if unique, wine that stands out from the usual flavour profiles.

Worth trying at this price especially if, like me, you prefer old-world styles to modern fruit bombs.

I am learning the keywords in the reviews to identify wines that will not work for me. Evergreen and lavender apparently refer to a taste that I expect in a cheap wine. In my opinion, this seeming bargain is barely worth it's price.

Went out last weekend to pickup a bottle without knowing much of what to expect. Was pleasantly surprised. It's a complex and wonderful wine in every sense. It pairs well with a nice steak dinner or better yet a rack of lamb. Excellent value for a well made wine which shows true versatility at the table. Wines like these are meant to be enjoyed over a meal, as is true of virtually all wines from Portugal. I'm going back this week to pick up a few more bottles. Tasted July 2012

I've had the opportunity to try Alvaro Castro's wines in the past and I'm always impressed with his focus on simplicity and elegance. This is a really nice wine. I have to say I do prefer some of his other vintages better. I hope to continue to see more Alvaro Castro wine offerings in future. Definitely a good wine to try if you're just getting into the wines from Portugal's Dao Region. Great expression of earth and terroir. I expect this wine to be better in a few years and hopefully more like his 2007 which I love. Tasted July 2012

The 2008 Alvaro Castro is a light to medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of ripe red currant, blackberry and oak. Though on the acidic side, it has a good structure with refined tannins (decant for 30-60 min) and a medium to long, fruit filled finish. Drink now and for the next 2-4 years. It has typical regional character, which in this case translates into food friendly wine. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts. Tasted July/12.

See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:

www.GrapeSelections.com

or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

From the reviews, what I agree with:

Refined
Dusty Earth
Minerality
'tension between the acidity and lush fruit'
Floral
Meaty

What I disagree with:

Long, memorable finish
Powerful
Concentrated

To me, this wine is decent, but nothing special. It's certainly got the 'minerality' going for it, but for me it just lacks fruit.

For $17, I've had better, I've had worse. I wouldn't buy it again.

Medium bodied, with ripe red fruit, along with notes of smoke and spice. I actually found the wine a bit lacking in the middle palate and the finish is only good. It's a good wine for sure, and fairly priced, just not 90+ to my taste. Drinking now or can hold a few years. Tasted July 2012.