Brett happens

Douro 2013, Flor de Crasto, Quinta do Crasto ($14.90, 10838579)
Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo, 35%), Touriga Franca (aka Touriga Francesa, 35%) and Touriga Nacional (30%) from vines between eight and 12 years old. The varieties were vinified separately. The manually harvested grapes were destemmed and crushed, then transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for alcoholic fermentation, which lasted seven days. Matured in stainless steel vats. Reducing sugar: 2.3 g/l. 13.5% ABV. Quebec agent: Enotria International.
Spicy nose of plum and blackberry with considerable cigar box, some moist earth, black pepper and distant peony. Richer and more viscous than expected. Dry and savoury but full of ripe, dense fruit. Structured by cloaked yet firm tannins and sufficient acidity, textured by a pervasive velvet astringency. The finish is decent if somewhat short though a ghostly aftertaste and feel linger long. On the one hand, it’s not a wine of great complexity or depth; on the other hand, it tastes like it should come from the next higher price bracket. For $15, you could do worse. (Buy again? Sure.)