Francisca Soares is only nine, but she is already the label artist behind her family’s Monte da Peceguina Tinto series from Portugal’s Malhadinha Nova winery. Adorning the 2005 release ($20) are the rainbow-colored petals of a simple flower, which the little artist spotted outside her window. The simplistic happiness on the label portrays well what’s to be found inside the bottle. From the Southeastern region, Alentejo, this red wine is a blend of mostly Portuguese varieties: 40% Aragones, 20% Alicante Bouschet, 15% Touriga Nacional, 15% Syrah and 10% Alfrocheiro. This very dark and dense red wine threw me off at first, as it is light in tannin but brimming with acidity. I had to let the bottle air a bit for the wine to open up and settle. Once it did though, it was the perfect pairing with my boiled Chinese pork-and-cabbage dumplings!