Olazabal "Meandro do Vale Meao" Douro (Portugal) 2005

Red/purple.

More expressive than the 2004 on the nose - pepper/licorice/menthol - reminds me of a Pax Syrah.

Similar in the mouth. Not nearly as deep as the '04, but more finely rendered. Wow, what a cool set of wines from the same producer. These guys know how to adjust to vintage variation - take an outside pitch to the opposite field. I'll be buying more of both.

$40