Some nice choices.
I’ve discovered a new place for me. Semigual Vinho Verde particularly their Ramadas wines.
Quinta de Santiago is also good for Vinho Verde.
Quinta Nova’s Dao wines from Tabodella.
Had the chance to visit Carlos Reposo. Tasted from tank and cask and from bottle. I was very taken by all his wines.
Also visited Passarella. Their Villa Oliveira series are fantastic.
Got to see Anselmo Mendes himself break out into a Fado song with a waiter at lunch in Melgaco.
2014 Casa Santos Lima Alenquer Quinta das Setehcostas, Portugal.
Cellared for 3 years, $24 Cda, good natural cork, 13.5% alc.Clay and limestone soils, sunny Atlantic coastal region…DOC Alenquer region.
Darkish plum color, no bricking. Nose has juicy strawberries, blueberry, blackberries. Medium-bodied, ripeish fruit, especially on day 2. Decent acidty, lengthy finish, smooth… and integrated tannins. I enjoyed the fruit balance, day 2 was very pleasing. Should have purchased a couple more.
Food was pork scallopini with creamy mushroom sauce.
The Symington Family Estates first venture out of the Douro. The second commercial release and I’ve had all of them since release. For a retail ~$24 (in the US) it is an amazingly great wine. I’d encourage you to pick one up and try it if you run across it. Drinks way above its price point.
Returning home from a trip to Portugal, these are the wines I brought back home.
2017 Quinta de Santiago Rascunho, an experimental passito wine. Alvarinho dried in an old traditional corn crib. 1045 half bottles made.
2018 Quinta de Santiago Rascunho, an Alvarinho fermented in old 400 liter french oak. 464 bottles made.
2020 Soalheiro Reserva.
2019 Anselmo Mendes Paradusco (tinto) made from Alvarelhão aged in old oak.
2019 Anselmo Mendes Parcelas Unica, Alvarinho aged in a mix of new and old oak.
2018 Semigual Ramadas Wood. Vinho Verde 70 year old mixed field blend in pergolas aged in old oak.
2019 Quinta Nova Aeternus, old vine field blend from the Douro.
2019 Tabodella Grande Villae branco from the Dao, old vine Encruzado and Bical.
2017 Quinta da Falorca Garrafeira Dao tinto. 100 year old mixed field blend of over 40 varieties.
2019 Carlos Reposo Definido Tinto and Branco. Old vine blends fermented and aged in 50 year old 1000-2000 litet unlined concrete tanks.
2015 Quinta da Pellada Dente d’Ouro, old vine single vineyard.
2017 Quinta da Pellada Muleta, another old vine single vineyard.
2018/19 Susana Esteban Sidecar. A wine made with Ricardo Doigo Freitas of Barbeito. 70 year old Alicante Bouschet aged in old Italian barrels. Ricardo said the wine is “Fantastic!”
2012 Niepoort Quinta de Baixo Charme. A one off wine from Baixo from 80 year old vines.
With a group of friends this past weekend to drink mainly Port. These were the table wines.
2007 Quinta do Sagrado, 2000 Quinta do Portal Grande Reserva, 2006 Niepoort Redoma Branco Reserva, 2015 Dona Maria Grande Reserva, 2009 Niepoort Robustus, 2010 Niepoort Coche.