Marquesa de Alorna 2009

16.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Alorna

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Deeply golden in color, making me question if this had oxidized prematurely. Hapilly, the bouquet told me otherwise - although it showed an heavier white, with lots of buttery, vanilla notes, the white fruits (peaches) and boiled apples were also very present and showing very well. Maybe some flowers in the background.

Very structured and heavy in the palate at first, it changes halfway and reveals a drier approach, relying more on citrus than on vanilla and sweet white fruits. It shows a good balance between fruit and oak, being a very well tuned wintery white that finishes long and comforting as expected.

Conde de Vimioso Reserva 2007

17 / 20

Producer: Falua

Region:Tejo

Country:Portugal

A venture by João Portugal Ramos - very well known for his wines in Estremoz, Alentejo - in the Ribatejo, Falua produces Tejo wines mainly for the international market. This wine is, I think, the top brand of the house and it comes along as a serious, intense wine that will age well for some more years.

Dark garnet to the eye, the nose is very intense although not in a fruit-forward way. Instead, it starts off with some more mineral notes - a hint of shale, then some earthy, mushroom and dried leaves notes and finally opens up to caramel, toast mingled with black berries and plums.

Really good structure in the palate, with some great velvety yet hard tannins and a backbone of fresh acidity that lets the cocoa/chocolate and black fruit fully reveal themselves while keeping the whole set austere and deep. Very good structure without becoming too fat or heavy, this is a really good wine, finishing long with notes of cocoa and spices.

Quinta da Lagoalva Talhão 1 2010

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Lagoalva

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Light green to the eye, this white from the Tejo comes across in the nose as a mixture of tropical and white fruits - melon comes to mind - and citrus notes along with a strong mineral feel that keeps it from becoming overly sweet, able to maintain interest.

Very fresh in the mouth, with lots of citrus notes, this is a definitely dry wine, with the lingering tropical and white fruit notes kept in the background. Light-bodied, it has an interesting dry ending with lots of citrus, palate cleansing notes.

One to taste by itself or with light starters - a good summer wine.

Tasted on 2012-03-08

Falcoaria Reserva 2007

16.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Casal Branco

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Nice dark ruby color, this red from the Tejo shows a lot of dark meaty plums, along with vanilla and oak notes. As time goes by, the Cabernet Sauvignon - the other grapes on this blend are Castelão, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Petit Verdot and Alicante Bouschet - gains momentum and we are greeted with strong vegetable notes - bellpeppers - and some really nice spices.

Lively and still showing some hard tannins, this shows a fresh, refreshing acidity in the mouth. It has quite an interesting depth and complexity, with the oak clearly marking the taste but very well balanced with the meaty, sweet fruits. Strong, structured finish that brings out the spices and bellpeppers again.

This certainly has the structure and the acidity to age very well, so I would try to keep a couple of bottles for some years and see how it grows.

Tasted on 2012-01-17

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

Casa Cadaval Pinot Noir 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Cadaval

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Light garnet, this Pinot noir from the Tejo shows the usual light PInot Noir color. According to the winemaker, the intention here was to make a New World Pinot Noir, closer to Oregon than to Bourgogne. Although I can't say if it succeeded in pursuing the Oregon style - because I don't think I ever tasted a Pinot from Oregon - I certainly can say that it has a different approach than the classical french Pinot.

In the nose, it felt a bit subdued at first, needing some time to release its scents. The aromas here are warmer than the french version of Pinot Noir: Still red fruits, but riper ones, as currants and cherries. There are also spices in the background.

Feeling soft in the palate, it nevertheless shows some tannins that give it some structure. More notes of red fruits throughout the taste, this shows a balanced acidity in a round, medium bodied wine. Finish is a bit unidimensional focusing again in fruit with a medium persistence.

Tasted on 2011-08-28

Falcoaria Fernão Pires 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Casal Branco

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

A 100% Fernão Pires from the Tejo region, the nose on this starts by conjuring up boiled pears and apples, then some tropical fruits and oaky, vanilla like notes. As it breathes and opens up, a strong floral scent appears along with some citrus impressions. Very pleasant bouquet.

In the mouth, I was expecting a bigger, more voluminous wine. Instead, I found a fresher, sharper wine, citrus focused, reasonably acid and dry.

The citrus notes appear stronger towards the end of the taste, dry and lemony, along with some peppery notes that are also pleasant.

Very reasonably priced (around 7€ here in Portugal if I'm not mistaken), this is a good choice for a light summer dinner.

Tasted on 2011-08-11

Guarda Rios 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Vale d'Algares

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Dark ruby to the eye, the aromas start off with ripe red wild fruits, maybe some jam. Later on, a background of spices emerges and still later a hint of vegetable.

Very fresh to the taste, with tamed tannins giving it a good yet simple structure, where the ripe red fruits are nicely integrated with the oak. Finishes with a touch of coffee and toast.

A good example of a Tejo red, where the fruit ripeness is nicely balanced by a fresh acidity. Good choice for a day to day wine.

Tasted on 2011-06-06

Casa Cadaval Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

16.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Cadaval

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Dark garnet in the glass, showing no signs of aging, this 11 year old from Casa Cadaval is in a very interesting phase.

Aromas first hint of vegetables, specially bellpepper, later replaced by ripe red fruits, some leather and maybe a spicier background. The vegetable impressions linger on, but not in the forefront. The whole is very balanced and appealing without showing a great deal of intensity.

In the mouth, it's an average-bodied wine, where everything is in its right place. Good acidity, subtle oak notes that combine with some vegetable touches, red fruits and some tertiary flavors - leather again - starting to appear. Smooth, velvety tannins give it a bit of structure, while the finish is medium-long.

Overall, it is a very pleasurable wine, round and smoothed down, which I believe is peaking now. For the price tag on this (around 10€), it's a great deal.

Tasted on 2011-05-24

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

Cadaval Trincadeira Vinhas Velhas 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Cadaval

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Made from Trincadeira grapes from old vines in the Tejo region (near Lisbon), this a dark ruby wine, with the bouquet showing vegetable notes - rockroses and grass, a substantial amount of vanilla, oakier impressions and some strawberry jam.

In the mouth, it still feels very young, with the oak still very much to the foreground. It shows a crisp acidity in a medium body wine, tannins still need some time in bottle to lose some of the power they still have. The fruit is somewhat obscured by the oak at this stage.

As said above, the wine is still very young and it definitely needs more time in the bottle before achieving its full potential. It would be nice to see where it is in a couple of years.

Tasted on 2011-03-08

Quinta da Alorna Verdelho 2009

15.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta da Alorna

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Very lightly colored, this Verdelho has some nice tropical fruits - bananas - aromas, along with more flowery impressions. Exuberant without falling into excesses.

In the mouth, a light bodied wine, delicate yet balanced. Very fruit-driven, it provides a pleasant enough taste. For me, I think the acidity is a bit too low and a little more freshness would help it become an even more balanced wine. Also, at 13º, I think the alcohol is a bit too much for the wine's light structure, although it is quite well integrated.

A good choice for a relaxed setting, a party or a summer afternoon.

Tasted on 2011-03-04

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