One in all our favourite locations to revisit and discover is the southern Alentejo (ah-len-tay-zhoo) area of Portugal. Famend for its versatility, the area cultivates over 250 varietals throughout a spread of climates and altitudes. It’s also a really budget-flexible area, providing one thing appropriate at a variety of worth factors.
Earlier than adjourning for the vacation recess, we had been invited to a tasting session curated by Grasp Sommelier Evan Goldstein. The wines chosen had been rigorously chosen, considering such elements as altitude, grape choice, sustainability initiatives, and regional recognition. Ideas on all wines tasted observe.
2021 Fitapreta Tinto – A mix of 40% Aragonês, 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Trincadeira, and 10% Castelão aged in 2nd and third use French oak for 9 months. Loaded with blackberry, raspberry, and currants at its core with a giant be aware of pepper, you’d be forgiven to mistake this for a Carmenere. The end is medium-length, and I want it had been longer, because the cedar and grilled rosemary on the end add pleasant character to a wine already full of complexity. Among the best of this cohort. A- / $27
2017 Jose Maria da Fonseca Jose de Sousa – A mix of 58% Grand Noir, 22% Trincadeira, and 20% Aragonês pouring deep crimson within the glass and filled with spice, tobacco leaf, and darkish fruit. The palate is extremely balanced with sufficient darkish fruit and earthy notes to maintain issues continually evolving and fascinating. A stable purchase at double its asking worth. A- / $20
2022 Herdade de Malhadinha Nova Antão Vaz da Malhadinha Branco – 100% Antão Vaz. Clear with Honeycrisp apple and white flowers operating all through with mild notes of pear and tropical fruit on the palate. Creamy texture with mild acidity and medium-length end. Refreshing and really clear, but it surely works higher with a meals pairing than a standalone glass. B+ / $30
2021 Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco – This 12 months’s classic stays trustworthy in building from earlier years (75% Arinto and 25% Verdelho). And very like previous choices, it stays extremely approachable with aromas of melon, papaya, and lemon zest giving technique to a faint hint of pineapple. Medium-bodied with layers of peach and citrus on the palate work in the direction of a dry end medium in size exhibiting faint touches of oak and baking spice. Constantly on the mark, and this classic is not any exception. B+ / $29
2018 Alexandre Relvas Herdade de São Miguel Colheita Seleccionada Tinto – This requires a minimal of an hour of air or a decanting earlier than diving in. On the nostril, overpowering waves of balsamic and blackberry finally discover steadiness with notes of minerality and raspberry coming to the fore. The palate fares a lot better with black cherry and delicate pepper slicing by. The tannins are minimal to average and the low acidity lets this shine. The darkish fruit runs by to the end, with some mild notes of violet and tobacco leaf including dimension. Permitting for some relaxation lets this shine, so plan accordingly. B+ / $16
2021 Herdade de Rocim Alicante Bouschet – Overly candy with black fruit at first that finally kinds itself out to search out some minerality. A little bit of violet and milk chocolate on the palate ship much-needed dimension, though it takes time to get there. First rate acidity and tannins don’t make this a chore to get by, and a few delicate spice and vanilla on the end from the oak getting older properly conclude issues. B / $23
