Quinta da Boa Esperança is located to the north of the Lisbon wine region, close to Torres Vedras, and this is the first of their wines that I have seen on sale here in the Algarve (€15.95 at Apolónia).
They make a few different varietals, amongst them this Syrah, and some blends.
It was in the Lisbon region, not far from here in fact, that what I believe to be the first high-quality Syrah wine made in Portugal was produced, at Quinta do Monte d’Oiro, and it would seem that the terroir around here is particularly well-suited to the variety.
This is a Syrah of great finesse and character with dark fruit and spicy notes playing on the nose in typical Syrah style. In the mouth, the wine is full bodied yet fresh and smooth with well-integrated oak and supple tannins leading to a long and dry finish. All in all, a very decent wine to enjoy with red meat and ideal partner for roast lamb.
