
Reviews
Technical Details
- Blend100% Field Blend Vinha Velha
- CountryPortugal
- RegionDao
- AppellationDao
- SoilGranitic with lines of clay and sand.
- OakFrench Oak
- Aging/Cooperage36 months in three 400L oak casks
- Alcohol13.2%
Quinta da Pellada Tinto 'Woman Label' 2018
Collectors alert! Don’t overlook this stellar Portuguese red. Made for only the second time ever, this special cuvee was last made in 2003. From Portugal’s (arguably) greatest red wine producer, at an inflation-thumping $50 OFF! This is not to be missed! 95 points and simply fantastic now...but even better over time!
Alvaro Castro is the pre-eminent, most rocking, old-school winemaker/vintner in Portugal. He inherited the estate in 1980 and has almost single-handedly brought Portugal’s still red wines to the world stage. Vines have been grown at Quinta da Pellada since at least the 16th century, including a receipt for 80 barrels paid for by King João III in 1527 for his personal stash.
This cuvee, of all seven old vine blocks at Quinta da Pellada, was last crafted in 2003 and is colloquially called “The Woman” in reference to the artistic depiction on the label. A field blend of over 48 different grape varieties is present, yet dominated by 30% of touriga nacional. This blend was crafted to showcase the balance and elegance possible in Dão wines...and is very successful at doing just that.
This wine is a vinous revelation. Take the perfumed prettiness of fine Volnay pinot with the primal, structured intensity of Cote Rotie syrah and a dash of a graphite and mineral-tinged Barolo. Aromas of pomegranate, hibiscus, blood orange, red berries, black tea, pencil lead, bay laurel...and…and...AND! Seriously complex. Delightfully fresh. This is robust and profound wine at its absolute best! Firing on all cylinders with about ten minutes in the glass, this wine just teases you and promises so much more to come over a decade or more. If you love Old World reds – from Northern Rhone to Barolo, to Priorat, to Burgundy, and Sicily...you would be remiss to pass up on this wine. At over $50 off? Even better.
“If God were to design a wine-growing region, what he would come up with would look a lot like the Dão.” - Alvaro Castro
PAIRING IDEAS: Try a local delicacy here – Bifanas – a traditional Portuguese sandwich made from thinly sliced pork marinated then simmered in white wine, garlic, and lots of paprika, finally served on a soft roll with plenty of mustard and piri-piri sauce.