Quinta do Sanguinhal 2006

15.5 / 20

Producer: Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal

Region: Óbidos

Country: Portugal

Bright ruby to the eye, the nose starts by suggesting leather and dried leaves, very similar to an old wine bouquet. Very quickly, these are put to the side and some nice ripe red fruits come to the foreground, along with some vanilla and a hint of chocolate.

The taste shows fresh, not very sweet red fruits, a good deal of acidity and some dry, very present tannins. Not overly structured or layered, the taste is marked by some vegetable and oak notes, with an intense finish that leaves behind an oaky, vanilla impression.

For my taste, I think the tannins were a bit too hard for the structure of the wine but, still, a very interesting wine from a noteworthy, often neglected wine region in Portugal.

Tasted on 2011-07-07

Quinta das Cerejeiras Reserva 2004

16.5 / 20

Producer: Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal

Region: Óbidos

Country: Portugal

Light garnet in color, looking younger than its seven years. Very balanced and subtle in the nose, acid red cherries at first, grassy, vegetable notes, a bit later sweeter fruits like strawberries and a hint of flowers. A very old world kind of feel, very pleasant and a refreshing change.

In the mouth, it's still a fresh wine, showing some marked acidity. Tamed tannins give it some structure, although it is not a full bodied wine. On the contrary, it is a very well balanced, poised wine that is able to carry itself without the help of a massive structure/body. Red fruits well integrated into the set, the finish is long and showing some vegetable notes (it reminded me of olives, for some reason).

I really liked this, since I tend to like this old-world approach. At times, it reminded me of an italian Barbaresco - although being fundamentally different, there are some similarities (strawberries aroma and the marked acidity are two). But overall, it's a wine worth knowing and drinking - at seven years old, it is probably reaching the perfect drinking window now.

Tasted on 2011-03-01

Tágide 2009

15.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Barreira

Region: Óbidos

Country: Portugal

This wine is a definite summer wine. Fresh, perky and light, it has an exuberant nose, with loads of sweet, tropical fruit balanced by some strong citrus notes.

Tasting it, the citrus notes come a bit more forward, along with some great acidity. It's a light-bodied, rounded wine ideal for a summer afternoon or a very light dish. The only disadvantage is that I think the alcohol shows a bit too much for the light structure of the wine.

By itself, in a terrace near the beach. Or with a very light dish.

Tasted on 2010-07-10

Quinta de São Francisco 2006

15.0 / 20

Producer: Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal

Region: Óbidos

Country: Portugal

Coming from a lesser known wine region in Portugal - Óbidos, this wine is a great everyday choice. Accessible and straightforward, it has aromas of red fruit and oak, backed up by some spices. It has a good acidity, leaving me to wonder what would happen if I keep a bottle or two for some more time, velvety tannins and the oak is already well integrated with the fruit. It's a medium bodied wine with an average finish. Although it lacks some complexity and structure, it is a nice choice in the lower cost area.

It's a very food friendly wine, so it will go with almost anything, apart from very subtle flavored dishes.

Tasted on 2010-06-06