NV Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port

[Todd Pettinger]

Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port [NV]

Infantado is yet another Port producer that I have heard of but never seen locally before. With glowing recommendations from the owner of deVine Wines as "the best Ruby I have ever tasted, particularly when you consider the QPR," I was sold - I had to try it.

Had I not recently had the Niepoort Ruby for the first time just days ago (TN here) I would have had to agree. For a "simple Ruby Port" it is extremely good, complex with a medium body and full mouth-feel. Fruit forward as expected with a Ruby, it speaks volumes about rich grapes, some cherries, raspberries, red currants and in the background I sense a touch of smoke, earth and possibly even aged leather.

While it lacks the chocolate in the end palate that the Niepoort has (and that I absolutely love) it is a very nice Ruby that, also like the Niepoort, rivals many LBVs. While the QPR is still not as great as some LBVs, at $20Cdn, this is a very solid Ruby offering that I will definitely return to again and again.