Amalaya 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Bodegas Amalaya

Region:Salta

Country:Argentina

A blend of Malbec - what else? - Syrah , Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, this argentinian red has an inviting, intense bouquet - very fruit-forward with notes of vanilla and a subtle spice background. Although it starts off very Malbec like, I think the Syrah eventually finds its way to the foreground, with some very nice notes of blackberries.

Very open, round and inviting in the palate, silky, smooth tannins leveraging the intensity of the fruit and vanilla notes. Controlled acidity, good structure and decent finish, this is a very well made wine that is ready to be enjoyed.

Specially enjoyed those blackberries both in the nose and in the palate - the Syrah / Malbec blend came along very well.

Pedra Cancela Selecção do Enólogo 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Pedra Cancela

Region:Dão

Country:Portugal

A blend from the Dão, this comes across as a modern look at a very classical blend. I don't think I'd ever tasted a wine from this producer, but I'll definitely try to check them out.

Very appealing in the nose, with a marked flowery side, mixed with some pine-tree, earthy notes and a healthy amount of wild berries underneath.

Very elegant in the palate, very well balanced with notes of buckroses to the foreground. Very lively wine, with fine but present tannins and the usual - for the Dão - fresh acidity. Ends very long and strong leaving traces of wlid berries in the tongue.

Quinta do Escairo Reserva 2010

16 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Escairo

Region: Trás-os-Montes

Country: Portugal

Another wine from the nearly forgotten wine region Trás-os-Montes in Portugal, this is a very pleasant and well made wine, showing some acid red berries in the nose along with some nice cocoa and coffee overtones.

Feels very elegant in the palate, with a really nice balance between red fruits and oak, round yet lively tannins and a fresh, crisp acidity that does not get in the way of enjoyment.

Lightly structured but showing up really well in the palate, the ending is very persistent. Although it won't probably age that well, it's a very enjoyable wine right now.

Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay-Pinot Noir 2010

16 / 20

Producer: Boschendal

Region: Boschendal

Country:South Africa

An interesting blend for a still white, the first impressions on this South African white instantly take us into Champagne territory, with a lot of toast notes combined with some boiled apples and pears. Also present is an interesting mineral side and some spices impressions which gives it an edge.

Good, enticing palate that combines a good, elegant and fresh acidity with an heavier structure resulting in a very interesting and original white. It's probably worth cellaring for a couple of years as well.

Aneto Pinot Noir 2010

16 / 20

Producer: Aneto

Region: Douro

Country:Portugal

The nose on this Pinot from the Douro is somewhat unexpected, showing some sweeter and more intense cherries than you'd expect from a Pinot. There's also a slighty peppery, greenish feel and a touch of cellar that goes away with time. More to the background are some vanilla and coffee/cocoa notes.

More restrained in the palate, combining a seemingly slim and delicate struture with a good, marked persistence, it shows red fruit notes (again, maybe a bit sweeter than expected) and some nice cocoa, toast notes that are more present in the average length but imposing finale. Smooth, round tannins make it alreay enjoyable.

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.

Quinta do Sobral Reserva 2010

15.5/ 20

Producer: Quinta do Sobral

Region: Dão

Country: Portugal

Lots of red fruits in the nose of this Dão red, backed by a kind of rustic feeling that goes away with time, bringing to front some nice spices and the flowery notes from the Touriga Nacional.

Fresh acidity in an average structure body, as expected in the Dão, relying more in balance and smoothness than in volume or strength. Fresh and fruit-forward, with some nice notes of oak and cocoa in the medium length ending.

Andreza Grande Reserva 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Essentially fruit forward in the nose, with lots of pineapples and green apples. Very light and fresh, it shows a lot more body in the palate, with the oaky/vanilla notes coming forward and giving it a considerable weight.

A bit unfocused at first, there's a good balance here between the heavier oaky side and a dry, citrus feel. The ending is long and hints at some spices lurking around.

A definite wintery white, that needs to be enjoyed with time - give it some decanting before starting to drink.

Durbanville Hills Pinotage 2010

15 / 20

Producer: Durbanville Hills

Region: Durbanville

Country: South Africa

The link to Pinot Noir (Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut present in South Africa since 1925) is evident in both the color - light, not extracted at all - and in the blend from red cherries, strawberries and an earthier, smokier side that one can feel in the nose. As it was opened, there were some slightly unpleasant rustic and animal notes that overshadowed the rest. But as these became more subdued, hints of vanilla appear that give it some grace.

Not very intense or heavy in the mouth, its standout feature at first is a remarkable acidity. The same rustic, animal notes I found in the nose are also present here in the palate. Again, as time goes by, these recede into the background and some strawberries start to appear in the back of the taste. Definitely gains a lot of balance if enjoyed at a meal, instead of by itself.

Quinta dos Termos Reserva Branco 2010

16 / 20

Producer: Quinta dos Termos

Region:Beira Interior

Country:Portugal

Flowery in the nose at first, showing a slight sulphur scent later replaced by wet stones, light citrus notes and a hint of sweeter fruit.

Dry and acid in the palate, as expected in whites from this region, it's very focused, precise with lots of lemony notes. Feels a bit short at first, disappearing in the back of the mouth, but its length increases as it breathes and oxigenates.

Feels like it needs to grow in the bottle for a year or so, but it should pay back.

Cova da Ursa 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Bacalhôa

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

Probably the most classical (and old) Chardonnay made in Portugal, this is one of those wines you know won't disappoint. From the yellow, light golden color continuing to those classical Chardonnay aromas - quince, boiled apples and pears, the oaky and buttery background and a hint of guavas, this is a composed and nicely tuned Chardonnay.

Expectedly full in the palate, but, again, finely tuned and balanced by a good deal of citrus-like dryness and a fresh acidity, it's a structured, deep and long lived wine that will shine in colder weather.

Quinta de Cottas Grande Reserva 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta de Cottas

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

I tasted the reserva 2009 a couple of months ago and really liked it, being one of those very dry whites from the Douro that, for my taste, really develop when staged in oak for some months. I'm not sure if this Grande Reserva is a rebranding or a new top brand, but I liked this one even more, I must say, although they seemed to cut down on the dryness for this vintage.

Greenish tinged, the nose is very complex, penetrating and intense. Strong vegetable notes at first - aspargus, mainly - open up way to a sweeter, vanilla-like scent along with dried almonds, the new oak barrels where this staged having left its mark. Still later on, some white fruit and flowers join the party and make for a very enticing bouquet.

The fresh acidity is a worthwhile match for the heavier, sweeter streak brought on by the oak. On the whole, the wine feels very structured and complex in the palate, the oakier notes making it mouth filling while maintaining a good fresh vibe. I think it just lacks maybe a little more elegance to make it ascend to the next level.

Really good, long finish.

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.

Quinta do Boição Arinto Reserva 2010

16.0 / 20

Producer: Enoport

Region: Bucelas

Country: Portugal

100% Arinto from Bucelas, this has a nice straw color and a fine bouquet, where notes of ripe citrus fruit mingle with smokier notes, a hint of mineral - rubbery notes like in a Riesling - and, as it warms up, a scent of oak pops up, reminding us this has fermented in oak for

some time.

Dry impact in the mouth, the mineral notes to the foreground along with lemon and lime. In the background, a touch of hazelnuts and a creamier, heavier texture give it some grace and weight.

Feels very fresh but, at the same time, it also shows some weight and structure, which gives it an added interest. Finish is long and dry, the citrus notes again mixed with hazelnuts.

Very interesting and with a good quality/price ratio.

Tasted on 2012-10-18

Parus 2010

15.5 / 20

Producer: Herdade da Comporta

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

100% Antão Vaz coming from Herdade da Comporta, this straw-yellow white has a nose dominated by apricots and peaches at first, that are later replaced by some sweeter, more expressive tropical fruits.

Soft in the palate, with a balanced acidity and a fruit-forward approach, with white and tropical fruits to the foreground, along with a background drier citrus feel. Feeling restrained at first, some time in the glass seem to do it good, becoming more open and expressive. Good, lengthy finale that is perhaps too marked by alcohol. At 14%, sometimes the alcohol comes a bit too much to the foreground.

Tasted on 2012-08-08

Artefacto Colheita Seleccionada Syrah 2010

16.0 / 20

Producer: Luís Duarte

Region: Alentejo

Country: Portugal

A 100% Syrah from the Alentejo, this dark purple red has a good bouquet where red cherries and plums mix with strawberry jam in a subtle oak background.

Medium-bodied in the palate, it shows a fresh acidity. While round and inviting, it also shows a distinctive dryness brought by some top-notch quality tannins. The right amount of red fruits and jam mix with just the right amount of cocoa and vanilla from the oak, resulting in a very balanced wine. Good, dry finish that also brings out some jam notes.

Its acidity and dry tannins make this a very gastronomical wine, that will go well with regional meat based dishes. It can definitely wait another year in the bottle or give it an hour or so in the decanter before enjoying.

Tasted on 2012-08-05

Vinha Val dos Alhos 2010

15.0 / 20

Producer: Casa Agrícola Horácio Simões

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

A 100% Sémillon, this white wine from near Setúbal has a balanced, somewhat subdued bouquet where flowers mingle with white fruits along with a scent of lemon.

Shows a good structure on the palate, but the most remarkable sensation in the palate is its dryness which, combined with a fresh acidity, brings out the citrus, lemon-like notes. Some notes of white fruit and a touch of oak also appear in the background all the way to the medium-length, very dry finale.

Tasted on 2012-07-21

Quinta do Pinto Limited Edition 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Pinto

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

A Côtes du Rhône style blend with Roussanne and Viognier, this white from near Alenquer has a nice light straw color and an intense, strong bouquet with lots of apricots, peaches and yellow plums. There's also a touch of flowers more to the background.

Voluminous and structured on the palate, it has a really good presence, with the white fruits very well balanced with a creamy feel and a balanced, solid acidity that gives it life. A good deal of dryness also helps offset the creamy feel, making this a very balanced, winter-like white that will go well with stronger dishes.

Tasted on 2012-07-15

Conde d'Ervideira Reserva 2010

16.0 / 20

Producer: Ervideira

Region: Alentejo

Country: Portugal

Lively garnet to the eye, the nose is very Alentejo, if a bit closed at first. Fleshy red fruit mixed with nicely balanced oak notes and some smoke make for an inviting and fresh bouquet.

Round, velvety and balanced in the mouth, it shows a medium structured body with quality red fruit mixed with a vanilla/oaky side and a good deal of acidity that, although it does not overpower the rest of the wine, it certainly provides a backbone and makes it a good match for much about any food. Very gastronomical and balanced, it's a classical Alentejo with a medium length, impositive, palate cleansing ending.

Tasted on 2012-07-03

Herdade da Comporta 2010

15.5 / 20

Producer: Herdade da Comporta

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

Pale yellow to the eye, the nose on this white from near Alcácer do Sal is very tropical, but just with the right touch of sweetness to it, balanced with some citrus overtones.

Very refreshing in the mouth with good citrus-like acidity, it's a balanced, very composed white with just the right amount of tropical fruit in the palate to keep it inviting. Finish is medium long with lots of citrus notes, cleansing and refreshing.

Tasted on 2012-07-02