Grand'Arte Alicante Bouschet 2009

16 / 20

Producer: DFJ Vinhos

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

The intensity and depth of the color is matched by the power of the bouquet on this Alicante Bouschet from near Lisbon. Sweet, ripe blackberries dominate the nose, backgrounded by an oaky, smoky side.

Intense and concentrated also in the palate, fruit forward but balanced by some nice oak notes - dark chocolate pops up often. A good, fresh acidity keeps the wine interesting, offsetting the sweet fruit and a good, average structure is guaranteed by velvety, tamed tannins. Nice, dry finish wraps this up.

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

Dona Mécia Reserva 2008

15.0 / 20

Producer: Divinis

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Clear ruby in the glass, this red from Ourém, near Fátima but still on the Lisbon DO, shows at first a bouquet where a slightly herbaceous, green feel is mixed with a leathery, rustic aroma. Given time, red fruit - in a jammy, although not overly heavy interpretation - appears and a nice touch of oak/toast that gives it some grace.

Average bodied in the mouth, it also benefits from some breathing time. Starting very tamed and showing the leathery, almost old wine notes it grows with time, red fruits and oak also start to appear in the palate along with the presence of velvety, very present tannins that give it some structure. Good acidity helps it move along to an average length, enjoyable finale.

Tasted on 2012-06-27

Vinha da Malhada 2011

15.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Montalto

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

With a nice, fresh yellow color with lots of green reflections, the nose on this biological farming white from near Ourém, Fátima is very fresh, with tropical fruits and flowers and a hint of wet stones.

Soft and fresh in the palate, showing a nice amount of fruit in a soft, light body, this is an easy to drink, honest wine. Lightly persistent, this will be a great wine to enjoy by itself by the pool on a lazy summer afternoon.

Tasted on 2012-06-17

Serrana 2008

14.0 / 20

Producer: Agroturismo Serrrana do Olival

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Light golden to the eye, this white has a discreet, subdued nose where after some time, some green apples appear.

Light bodied in the palate, very soft it shows just a bit of fruit, relying more on a dry, austere approach. Brief persistence, where at first the alcohol shows a bit too strong, but later develops into something a little more interesting, with an interesting dryness. Definitely one to try much younger as this seems to be going downhill.

Tasted on 2012-06-14

Syrah 24 2007

16.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Monte de Oiro

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

I really appreciate most of the work José Bento dos Santos has done over the years, both in wines (with Quinta do Monte de Oiro) and in food/gastronomy. So I was really looking forward to tasting this new top super-premium wine from Quinta do Monte de Oiro. Unfortunately, this did not meet my expectations. Maybe I was expecting too much or I failed to understand it or maybe there was just something slightly off with the bottle.

Ruby colored, the nose is very delicate and balanced, showing some spices and discreet ripe fruit, with hints of jam. A nice toast/oaky background wraps up the bouquet.

Delicate in the palate as well, averagely structured, it still has a good, fresh acidity and shows intense red fruits mixed with coffee and some chocolate. Tannins are very balanced, supporting the structure but not enhancing it. Overall, delicate and balanced with a nice, yet average length ending but it feels it's lacking something.

As one can see from the score, this is not a bad wine by any means. But if you compare it with Monte de Oiro Reserva (which sells for roughly half the price of this), I think the Reserva stands out - but that's my taste.

Tasted on 2012-06-07

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

Quinta do Gradil Touriga e Tannat 2009

15.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Gradil

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Dark purple, this red from Lisboa has a intense, ripe nose but somewhat undefined and not very complex. A hint of vegetable, lots of oak, coffee and some chocolate, followed by some dark plums.

Hard, tough wine in the palate with some young, lively and tough tannins very much in the foreground. Fresh acidity that is maybe a bit too much for the wine's structure. Lots of oak notes in a taste that clearly shows a growing, evolving wine.

Needs time to settle down.

Tasted on 2012-03-29

Quinta de Pancas Reserva 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta de Pancas

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

A red from near Lisboa, this Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Touriga Nacional blend clearly shows the more vegetable side of the Cabernet and Merlot in the nose, with lots of bell peppers coming to mind. A touch of oak and some jam also appears. As it breathes and opens, some nice acid red berries also join the bouquet, with the vegetable feel losing some of its prominence.

Feels very fresh and lively on the palate, almost a bit wild with tannins that feel a bit too hard for the average structure of the wine and a good deal of acidity. The vegetable feel continues in the mouth, where the bell peppers are joined by red berries and currants. Average, fruit-forward ending.

Will benefit from some decanting time, but preferably let it rest in the cellar for a couple of years before opening. It feels it needs some time to fully integrate and mature a bit.

Tasted on 2012-03-10

Quinta do Monte d'Oiro Reserva dos Enólogos 2006

16.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Monte de Oiro

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

A limited edition from this great producer near Alenquer - nearby Lisbon - this red made with Syrah and Petit Verdot has a live, dark ruby color.

The nose starts by showing a lot of oak and toast notes at first, although it's easily perceived that there's much more in the background. As it opens, black cherries and spices start coming to the foreground, strong and intense, while some olives and some mint also pop up here and there.

Average bodied, feeling somewhat tamed but still with some strong tannins, the wine shows good, balanced flavors where ripe dark fruits mingle together with oaky flavors and hints of spices. Nice, medium long finish that brings back the olives and vegetable notes along with spices.

Tasted on 2012-02-23

Quinta de Sant'Ana - Homenagem a Baron Gustav von Fürstenberg 2007

16.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta de Sant'Ana

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

This is the top brand from Quinta de Sant'Ana, a producer from Mafra near Lisbon. A 50% Merlot and 50% Touriga Nacional blend, the Merlot definitely takes center stage, resulting in a very pleasant Bordeaux-like wine.

Quite expressive in the nose, with a lot of vegetable - bell-peppers - notes, along with a load of spices and some currants, resulting in a very composed and somewhat intense bouquet.

Good structure and complexity in the palate, the vegetable and currant notes predominate. The tannins are balanced giving this a nice, rounded body supported by some oak notes. Finishes medium-long.

Tasted on 2011-06-03

Quinta dos Loridos Alvarinho 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Bacalhôa

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Although alvarinho is usually planted in Minho, some producers use it in other regions in Portugal. The resulting wines are certainly different from the Alvarinhos in Minho, of course, but some of them, at least, are worth tasting and knowing - as this one from Quinta dos Loridos, near Lisbon.

Straw yellow in the glass, the nose shows tropical fruit mixed with a citrus feel - some tasters were reminded of guavas, tropical yet not overly sweet. Pleasant and uncomplicated.

To the palate, it's a dry enough wine, with a good, fresh acidity that balances the sweet tropical fruit that pervades the taste. It's a rounded, soft bodied wine that leaves a somewhat sweet aftertaste in its medium length finale.

Pleasant and easy to drink, this would be a good aperitif or a good choice for a relaxed, informal setting (think parties or late sea-side afternoons).

Tasted on 2011-05-10

Casal Figueira António 2009

16.5 / 20

Producer: Casal Figueira

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

A very distinct wine, made from an unusual grape (Vital) by a Lisbon producer - who unfortunately passed away a couple years ago.

On first impact, an unusual bouquet. Maybe some yellow fruit, not very sweet, green grass, definitely some spices - white pepper, maybe. A while later, a hint of wet stone. It certainly shows an unusual complexity and vibe.

To the taste, a structured, rounded wine. Some oak, buttery notes, but very discreet and masterly balanced by a beautiful, crisp acidity. Also showing some nice fruity overtones, it finishes long and persistent in a distinct and very personalized fashion.

Track this down if you are looking for something out of the ordinary. It will certainly surprise you.

Tasted on 2011-04-30

Quinta dos Loridos 2008

15.0 / 20

Producer: Bacalhôa

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Ruby colored, this blend of Castelão and Merlot offers ripe red fruits on the nose, along with oaky/vanilla overtones. More to the background, bell peppers and other green vegetables - the Merlot, maybe?

Somewhat high acidity and marked tannins compose the first taste impression - the Lisboa and Tejo region wines tend to be like that when young - complemented by red fruit all the way through, although this is not the only driver, as the oak also takes a part.

Medium-length finale dominated by green vegetables again wraps up the taste for a competent, honest and drinkable wine.

Tasted on 2011-02-18

Consensus 2009

15.0 / 20

Producer: DFJ

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Straw yellow in color, the first impact on the nose is of fresh citrus, closely followed by oak and vanilla notes. In the background, some mineral composes a discreet bouquet where the oak is very well integrated.

The taste is filled with oak notes, which are balanced by a crisp acidity and a very distinct dryness. Actually, one of the driest whites from Portugal I have tasted. Persistence is good but one feels that something is missing: maybe some more fruit or mineral coming up during the taste would make it shine.

As it is, it feels a bit out of balance (for my taste). There's the creaminess and texture given by the barrel on the one hand, and on the other there's the dryness and the high acidity and they don't seem to come together in a clear ensemble. Maybe I missed something?

Tasted on 2010-10-21

Madrigal Viognier 2008

17.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Monte de Oiro

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Probably one of the best whites in Portugal, this 100% Viognier is another great wine from Quinta do Monte de Oiro.

Straw yellow in color, its aromas start with some discreet tropical fruit, balanced by a strong mineral background. Its a subtle aroma, never overwhelming the nose but slowly revealing new nuances and evolutions. Some citrus notes also appear as well as some sweeter, honey notes.

The taste is also elegant and discreet, showing a complex, creamy wine. The tropical fruit keeps appearing in the mouth, although the citrus and oak are a bit more prevalent. The ensemble is held together by a great acidity and finishes with a long, persistent aftertaste with hints of vanilla and lemon.

A great wine, by any standards.

Tasted on 2010-07-19

Lybra 2006

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Monte de Oiro

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Quinta do Monte d'Oiro is an exceptional wine producer from the Lisbon region in Portugal. Using mostly Syrah and Viognier, these guys make some very fine wines - some of the best Syrah in Portugal and probably the best Viognier.

This wine, Lybra, is the entry point for the brand and it is a well crafted, adjusted, easy to drink wine. Starting out with a garnet color, the nose reveals loads of red fruit, with spices and jam in the background. In the mouth, it is a pleasant, balanced, rounded wine. Tannins are definitely there and can be felt, but they are tamed and quite nicely integrated with the fruit.

Overall, an elegant, well-made, food-friendly wine. For its 10€ price point, it really is one to look out for.

Tasted on 2010-07-17