Over the last decade, Portugal’s Douro producers have tried to get the world to go beyond Oporto and enjoy their dry red wines. However, all to often, these wines tasted more-or-less like dry, unbalanced Oporto.

A group of top estates dedicated to quality came together in 1999 to push the possibilities of dry Douro wines to the limit and the Lavradores de Feitoria was born. The results: excellent wines at very reasonable prices.

Doug Salthouse at SmartBuy wines in New Jersey recently sent me a bottle of the 2002 Três Bagos and you will be hard pressed to find a more satisfying wine at under $20.00. No full blast overripe dry port here, but a balanced and brilliantly fruity wine for enjoyment over the next 2 to 3 years. The bright, zesty raspberry fruit is contrasted with good acidity and a moderate (for Douro) 13% alcohol. A real pleasure to drink.