Dom Manuel I 2010

14.5 / 20

Producer: Adega Cooperativa de Pinhel

Region: Beira Interior

Country: Portugal

Fruit forward and exuberant in the nose, feeling very young and showing some subtle oak notes.

Those same oak, vanilla notes are present in the palate, where it shows a light structure that, combined with a marked acidity, results in a fresh, young wine with some wild red berries notes.

It comes along as a relatively well made wine, showing the high acidity typical of the region and some greenish, a bit wild tannins that are also typical in the wines from the Beira Interior.

Montado 2010

14.5 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Alentejo

Country: Portugal

Clear ruby in the glass, the nose is composed mainly by red fruits and a light cellar/winery scent.

Feels very soft in the palate, with a decent amount of red fruits. Lightly structured, the balanced acidity and light tannins clearly say this is a wine made to be enjoyed young. On first taste, the ending brought out some marked alcohol notes but these are hardly noticeable when paired with food.

One for the everyday meal.

JP Private Selection 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Bacalhôa

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

A 100% Castelão from Setúbal, this red from Bacalhôa has a not very expressive bouquet where notes of red fruits are a bit overshadowed by a strong smoky overtone at first, becoming somewhat more balanced afterwards. There's also a hint of vegetable notes - green bell peppers - that are unusual in Castelão.

It feels a bit rustic on the first impact on the palate, with the jammy red fruit coming forward, but sharing the front stage with some rustic cellar notes.

Lightly structured, tannins are still on the hard side which, together with the high acidity, might make the wine a little less inviting. Still, there's some nice red fruit in here, that make the average-length finale hold up.

Tasted on 2012-07-06

Serrana 2008

14.5 / 20

Producer: Agroturismo Serrrana do Olival

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Coming from Serra de Aires, near Lisbon, this red has an open ruby color and a bouquet where acid red berries and bushes predominate, along with a rustic winery feel where one can feel some evolution.

Lightly structured, sporting tamed tannins - although lively - it shows some nice red fruit notes along with some leathery notes, consistent with the evolution sensed in the nose. Brief, honest ending that again shows signs of red fruits and some leather, this time mixed with a jammy overtone.

Tasted on 2012-06-06

Borges Dão Reserva 2007

14.5 / 20

Producer: Vinhos Borges

Region: Dão

Country: Portugal

Straw colored, the nose on this white from the Dão is not very expressive, showing a slight vegetable feel, a hint of white fruit, some oaky smoky notes and a glycerine feel that strongly suggests some evolution.

The palate is also not very expressive, showing a balanced, unremarkable acidity in a light body where the distinctive feature is the high dryness and citrus feel. It grows a little with time but it keeps its low profile during the taste all the way to a dry, lemony brief ending.

Tasted on 2012-04-10

Avidagos 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta dos Avidagos

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

A simple white from the Douro, this straw colored wine has a simple, discreet nose that shows some white fruits, mainly apples and pears.

Very low profile in the palate as well, balanced and showing some white fruits as well, but without much expression. Interesting, although brief, ending with some citrus notes.

Light, simple wine that will be best enjoyed by itself or with light meals.

Tasted on 2012-03-19

Quinta da Lapa Tamarez/Arinto 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Lapa

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

An unusual blend from the Tejo, as Tamarez is usually used - as far as I know - along with several other types and not with just another grape type.

Staged in oak for 3 months, it has a light golden color. The nose clearly shows its time in the cask, as all the aromas point at oak: smoke, some honey-like sweetness, a buttery feel. Behind this, maybe some faint sweet white fruits.

Quite soft bodied in the mouth, it is also mainly focused on oak notes with the fruit taking a background seat. Finishes quite briefly, with some citrus notes.

A simple, pleasant wine but where the oak seems to have made too much of an impression in some ways, keeping other components in the background.

Tasted on 2011-10-05

Varanda do Castelo 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Adega Cooperativa de Pinhel

Region: Beira Interior

Country: Portugal

Light garnet in the glass, the nose is mainly composed of wild and acid red fruits with a slight hint of oak.

Lots of acidity in the mouth, typical of the region, with some quite hard tannins still going strong, this is a very fruit-forward wine, with some tenuous oak notes. Slightly rustic approach where the alcohol level seems too high for the wine light structure.

Tasted on 2011-09-28

O Tal Vinho da Lixa 2010

14.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Lixa

Region: Minho

Country: Portugal

A very light Vinho Verde, this has a discreet flowery nose, fresh and simple.

In the palate, a very light bodied wine, slightly bubbly, very fresh and showing some citrus and vegetable notes. Short lived ending.

The freshness and the low alcohol make it a very nice wine to have on its own during the afternoon.

Tasted on 2011-09-18

Murzelo Reserva 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Veiga

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Straw coloured, the nose on this is discreet and a bit subdued, showing some white fruits and some citrus notes.

In the palate, an honest, simple wine showing an average amount of fruit in a light, soft body with balanced acidity. Some lemon notes on the brief finish wrap up the taste.

Tasted on 2011-08-18

Pinhel Síria 2010

14.5 / 20

Producer: Adega Cooperativa de Pinhel

Region: Beira Interior

Country: Portugal

Pinhel is a wine sub-region of the larger Beira Interior wine region. One of the accepted white grape types for this region - and probably the most well known and worthwhile - is Síria, known as Roupeiro elsewhere in Portugal.

Very lightly colored, almost completely transparent, the nose gives us a mix between white/yellow fruits - melon, peaches - and some flowers. Quite intense, but not very complex.

Light in the palate, with lots of fruits and flowers. Fresh, although the acidity is not very high, this is a pleasurable, simple wine that finishes in a drier note - lemon skin comes to mind - with a short persistence.

Ideal for a relaxed setting, as an aperitif or accompanying light meals, I just think that at 13%, this has a bit too much alcohol for its structure - although it does not interfere with the taste.

Tasted on 2011-08-16

Saurus Sauvignon Blanc 2008

14.5 / 20

Producer: Bodega Familia Schroeder

Region: Patagonia

Country: Argentina

This is another argentinian wine from Patagonia, again from Bodega Familia Schroeder. This particular wine belongs to the base brand of the Bodega, focusing on simpler, day to day wines.

Light yellow, nose brings to mind cut grass along with some citrus notes - limes, mainly. Some yellow fruit appears later on but in a faint, discreet way.

Tasting it, one finds a soft-bodied wine, with controlled acidity and some discreet fruit notes. Ends with a brief persistence, showing some faint citrus notes.

Overall, I felt that this bottle was a bit tired. I would try to focus on more recent vintages, where the acidity and the fruit would be a bit more upfront.

Tasted on 2011-07-21

Ribeiro Santo 2007

14.5 / 20

Producer: Carlos Lucas

Region: Dão

Country: Portugal

A light white from the Dão, this starts off by showing flowers and citrus, although in the background I think there were some signs of evolution (oxidation).

The palate is balanced and shows some sweetness, but a bit more acidity would make it more lively. The citrus/flowery notes are very discreet here while the finish is brief with some citrus notes.

Tasted on 2011-06-17

Quinta da Alorna Arinto 2010

14.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Alorna

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Light yellow in color, nose starts with sweet tropical fruits and flowers, quickly replaced by a fresh citrus impression.

Crisp an dry to the taste, showing some sweeter fruits along the way, this is a soft, brief wine that should work very well in the summer, either by the pool or before meals.

Tasted on 2011-05-02

Vinha Padre Pedro 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Cadaval

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Ruby colored, nose filled with red berries, a vegetable feel (bellpeppers) and some spices on the background. Somewhat delicate in the nose.

The taste reveals a young wine, tannins still strong, with lots of red fruit to show. Good acidity in an average-bodied wine. Medium length ending leaves a spiced feel in the mouth.

Overall, this is a well-made, simple wine and a safe bet from the Tejo region in its price target. For around 4€, it's a solid choice for an everyday wine.

Tasted on 2011-02-27

Vinha Padre Pedro 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Cadaval

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

A simple, basic, honest wine from the Tejo region, the nose is mainly composed by pineapples and other tropical fruits, along with a sweeter, jammier note on the background. All very simple and straightforward.

A very light wine in the mouth, fresh and delicate. Enough fruit notes to keep it interesting, this is a good choice for parties or a summer afternoon by the beach.

Grilled fish, preferably in a varanda overlooking the sea in a summer afternoon.

Tasted on 2011-02-25

Terras do Pó 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Ermelinda Freitas

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

A simple Castelão from Terras do Sado, it shows aromas of ripe red fruits along with vanilla and oak notes.

To the taste, a rounded, fruit filled wine. A simple, typical Castelão all the way, it is still very astringent, showing a very young profile. Average persistence, maybe showing a bit too much alcohol, this wine comes along as lacking some body and complexity. But still, for its price target it's a reasonable choice.

Tasted on 2011-02-09

Charneca de Pegões Moscatel 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Adega de Pegões

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

I picked this wine up at the supermarket a bit blindly. Partly because it was a 100% Moscatel and partly because I really like this producer, Adega de Pegões. They make really nice, affordable wines from Terras do Sado region. Check out their white Colheita Seleccionada.

Anyway, this wine (priced around 2€ per bottle) opens up with a lot of flowery, sweet tropical fruit - lichies, maybe. Delicate and fragrant, it's a pretty good bouquet.

In the mouth, the wine comes along as slightly sweet but fresh. A good acidity helps a slim, delicate, fruity body shine through. It's surprisingly persistent for its lightness in the mouth.

This lightness and the low alcohol make it a nice wine to enjoy by itself or before meals. Actually, the pairings I tried with this (simple fish and vegetarian dishes) did not work very well as the wine is too delicate and its flavors are lost when mixed with even the lightest foods.

Drink by itself as the wine seems too delicate to match with any food.

Tasted on 2011-01-20

Zimbro 2009

14.5 / 20

Producer: Manuel H Espanhol

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Coming from the Douro, a simple, honest white wine.

With a bouquet composed by mainly sweet tropical fruit notes, it is a slim wine in the mouth, with a balanced acidity and an average finish that repeats the same tropical fruit notes.

The ending feels slightly off balance, revealing some rough edges that don't fit in the rest of the tasting.

Tasted on 2010-09-16

Terras de Lava 2007

14.5 / 20

Producer: Cooperativa da Ilha do Pico

Region: Açores

Country: Portugal

The Azores islands, like every region in Portugal, are wine producers, although the quantities are quite small. This wine comes from the Pico island, home to a volcano (the highest point in Portugal), made mainly of international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The vines that grow here - and in most of the Azores - grow very close to the ground, in order to protect themselves from the sea winds.

Showing a garnet color, the bouquet is intriguing, revealing intense red fruit, marked by earthy, musky notes.

The first taste is, unfortunately, a bit disappointing, showing a thin wine, with very low acidity and no persistence. A simple, monotonous wine.

However, it opens up in the glass, building up a decent presence in the mouth and revealing a lot more fruit and vegetable impressions - bell peppers from the Cab. Sauvignon - than in the first taste. Although still a simple wine, it gains a lot more interest after opening up. Should you try it, decant it beforehand for an hour or so to get the most out of it.

Tasted on 2010-07-29