I’m a big fan of the Dão region and especially the elegant medium-bodied reds that have been coming out of the region over recent years. But this one – from the Swiss-owned Quinta das Maria’s boutique winery – is quite different. In fact, it has lot more in common with a Douro red than a Dão.
Produced at high altitude in the granite soil foothills of the Serra de Estrela, the wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz (known further south as Aragonez and in Spain as Tempranillo).
This is a wine clearly designed for bottle ageing: I would say that this 2012 needs another couple of years in the bottle to show its true quality, and would continue to improve for a good few more years. There is great concentration of forest berry fruits on the nose with notes of peppery spices. In the mouth the wine is full-bodied with good acidity and firm tannins, giving it a dry but clean finish. Priced at €18.95 in Apolónia.
By Patrick Stuart [email protected]
