Lagoalva de Cima Afrocheiro: a fresh Portuguese red

On a horrible, wet, windy Autumn evening I'm drinking a fresh, spicy Portuguese red that would probably be better suited to summer sipping, but I'm enjoying it. It's from Quinta Lagoalva de Cima, a large estate in the Ribatejo region. The Lagoalva wines are usually quite savoury, dense and traditional, but this is fresher and a bit more elegant, and I like it. Alfrocheiro is an interesting grape variety, I reckon.

Quinta Lagoalva de Cima Alfrocheiro 2006 Ribatejo, Portugal
Cherry red in colour, this has a nose of bright cherry and berry fruit, with a hint of spiciness. The palate is juicy and vibrant with lovely red cherry and raspberry fruit, backed up by firm, spicy tannins. There's a nice fresh quality to this wine, which reminds me a bit of Pinot Noir. While it's quite structured, the fruit has a lightness to it that's really attractive. Some earthy spiciness on the finish. Delicious stuff. 90/100 (Clark Foyster Wines is the UK agent; the Wine Society have the 2005 for £9.95)