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Quinta da Pellada Tinto 'Woman Label' 2018 - First Bottle

Reviews

95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
The 2018 Tinto Quinta da Pellada Woman Label is a blend of all seven blocks of the Pellada properties (unlike the 2018 Pellada in this report). It is a field blend from old vines aged for four years in well-used French oak. The winery has only made this seven-block blend once before, in 2003. Showing beautifully, this is elegant and complex, with moderate tannins and lush texture. The finish is long and persistent, even while nothing is harsh or astringent. This is a beauty that is hard to resist. It will also age well, maybe better than indicated. The name is sort of made up here; it doesn't appear on the label. It just describes the picture compared to the regular Pellado. Castro does say his clients often refer to this in similar fashion to distinguish it from the regular.

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%
Shop All Wines Quinta da Pellada Tinto 'Woman Label' 2018

Quinta da Pellada Tinto 'Woman Label' 2018

Other Reds  |  Portugal
WA95

$100.00 $49.95 | 750mL
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50% off retail!

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.

About the Producer

Meet Alvaro Castro, the mastermind behind the delectable wines at Quinta da Pellada and Quinta de Saes. Since 1980, Alvaro has been the winemaker for his family's vineyards, becoming a leading figure in the region's winemaking scene. With a passion for traditional methods, Alvaro's wines embody the essence of their terroir and the idea that "wine is made in the vineyard." He crafts elegant, honest wines that truly reflect the soil, showcasing the explosive aromatics and cool-climate freshness that make the Dão region so special. At Quinta da Pellada, Alvaro uses the oldest vines to create wines of profound concentration paired with ethereal elegance. He has a "less is more" approach to winemaking and is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, making his wines not only delicious but also socially responsible. With an extraordinary value and a rich history (including a mention of taxes paid to the king in 1527), it's no wonder that Quinta da Pellada is considered one of the best producers in the Dão. So sit back, relax, and savor the fruits of Alvaro's labor - the wines of Quinta da Pellada are truly a representation of the apotheosis of the Dão region.