It was just two weeks ago that I wrote about one of the new wines from Quinta dos Vales and I would not usually feature the same winery so soon. But these are new launches that are literally just happening and, in both cases, we are dealing with something quite special.
Both of these wines are available exclusively in magnum format, either from the winery itself in Estômbar or, so I am told, very soon at the Intermarché supermarkets in Lagos and Carvoeiro and at Apolónia Lagoa. Both magnums are priced at €29.60 and just 500 bottles of each were produced.
Let’s start with the white, which is not really a white in the real sense. This is a Blanc de Noir, a white wine made from a red grape but, in this case, made from Alicante Bouschet, a red grape that is actually red on the inside as well as on the outside.
The white wine is achieved by very fast pressing followed by filtering to remove any colour and, after fermenting and ageing in stainless steel, we have wine of impressive freshness, almost water clear in colour with hints of pale yellow and green.
On the nose, there are unusual floral and herbal notes with a touch of spice, clean and vibrant in the mouth with a long dry finish.
The rosé is made from Pinot Noir, the first time as far as I know that a Pinot Noir has been made in the Algarve and one of just a few rosés made from the variety here in Portugal. A shade darker than the current trend of salmon pink Provence-style rosés, this is a wine of great character.
The nose is quite seductive with red fruits and floral notes mingling with hints of cinnamon. Lush and fruity in the mouth, the wine is dry with good texture and well-balanced acidity, finishing with just a touch of sweetness on the back of the palate.
