Periquita Reserva 2005

16.0 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

Tasted in a magnum, this 6-year old from the Sado shows no sign of evolution in the glass, sporting a nice light ruby color.

The nose shows ripe sweet red fruits, backed up by some spices and vanilla from the oak. Not an intense or complex bouquet by any means, but balanced and pleasing.

In the mouth, the feeling of balance continues. Round, soft, with hints of jam and ripe red fruits, controlled acidity, this seems to be on the right timeframe to be consumed. Average length ending that leaves a jammy aftertaste.

The main drawback in this wine is that it might be considered as too sweet for some tastes, since it definitely shows a lot of sweet fruit (specially in the mouth). In my opinion, the sweetness is balanced and does not detract from the drinking pleasure, but it definitely is down to personal preferences.

Tasted on 2011-05-12

Colecção Privada DSF Syrah 2004

16.0 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

Dark garnet, the bouquet centers around dark/blue wild berries in a background filled with spices and a touch of oak. Later on, some sweeter, jammier notes appear.

In the mouth, a well structured wine where the still present tannins give it some structure and strength. This structure is helped along by a good acidity. Average length finale leaves an aftertaste of red fruits. All correct and well made. As time passes, the taste becomes a bit more complex with the aftertaste verging towards a spicier feel with some caramel or fudge in the background.

Tasted on 2011-04-10

Quinta de Camarate 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

Another offering from Terras do Sado, near Setúbal, this wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Castelão and Aragonez coming from a single vineyard outside the village of Azeitão.

Ruby colored, aromas of ripe mulberries and a strong vanilla touch, along with a oaky feel and maybe some flowers in the background. It later evolves to toast/coffee notes.

In the mouth, a simple structure, a bit too heavy on the oak maybe, it nevertheless shows some nice red fruit touch. Tamed tannins and a medium-length persistence wrap up a ready to drink, adjusted wine.

Tasted on 2011-02-11

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

Garrafeira RA 2004

16.5 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

This 100% Castelão - a grape type used extensively in the Palmela/Setúbal region - is made by one of the largest wine companies in the region, José Maria da Fonseca. RA stands for Region of Algeruz, which is a subregion inside the Palmela/Setúbal region.

I believe that Castelão is able to produce very good, long lived wines and this one is a really good example. Deep, dark garnet, the nose is very well balanced, plums to the foreground but closely followed by toast/smoky notes, some vanilla in the background along with a spiced feel even further back. For a seven year old, still showing a lot of life in the nose.

To the taste, the same feeling of balance and finesse. Nicely tamed tannins, although present, fruit expertly combined with the oak in a nice ensemble that finishes long and with a strong spiced feeling.

I think this wine is perfect to drink right now, although it will probably grow and last for a couple more years. But right now, it provided a really nice taste.

Tasted on 2011-02-04

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

Quinta da Bacalhôa 1999

16.0 / 20

Producer: Bacalhôa Vinhos

Region: Terras do Sado

Country: Portugal

An eleven year old Cabernet Sauvignon tasted in a magnum format. The color is a beautiful red with a brown margin, showing its age. the nose is already filled with liquorice aromas, along with wood and spices notes. After some time, there is a hint of pepper and vegetable that you would expect from a Cabernet. In the mouth, it is a very elegant wine, with the tannins completely integrated with the fruit and the wood. It has a wonderfully persistent finish. Not sure if it can age much more, but right now it is a very drinkable wine.

Will stand its own with simple roast meats.