The Connoisseur - February 2024
Why is February the month of love? Is it just cuz it’s cold outside? Or is it just that Hallmark moment, a chance to sell you a cheap box of chocolates and dodgy card? Whatever the reason, The Wine Fellas are always ready for a bit of lovin’ and we’re sure you’ll agree that these wines could be any lover’s wingman. Descriptions below, and if you run out, you can order more from The Cellar.
Don’t forget, you can look up past boxes in The Archive.
Quinta do Convento, Branco
[grape/vintage] Arinto, Cercial, Gouveia, Vinhas Velhas, Viosinho / 2021
[region] Douro
You know that lovely scene at the end of Visconti’s The Leopard when they’re all dancing in the ballroom…Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon? This is like that – swirling, magical. The winemakers have stylishly blended several varietals and old vine grapes to tell the story of their land – elegant, crystalline, timeless.
Our sommelier describes it thus: citrine-colored wine with aromas of white fruit, orange blossom and wet stone. Intense in the mouth, with a crisp acidity and a long finish.
Pairs well with freshly grilled tiger shrimp with lemon butter dipping sauce.
The wines of the Douro Valley are known for their depth, complexity, and aging potential. The soil is predominantly schist, a type of metamorphic rock that retains heat and helps to ripen the grapes. The region’s unique terroir, combined with the use of indigenous grape varieties and traditional winemaking techniques, create wines that are rich, complex, and full of character.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Casa Américo, Reserva
[grape/vintage] Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional / 2015
[region] Dão
A mountain forest of oak and cork and chestnut. Sunlight filters down obliquely and the air is filled with a deep, warm earthy aroma tinged with something sweet, something peppery. Leaves crunch underfoot. You bathe in the silence of the hillside, run your hand against a massive granite boulder. You relax and breathe out. Tranquility.
Our sommelier’s thoughts: deep ruby color, aroma with notes of forest fruits, pine and light toast. In the mouth it has noble tannins, silky texture and a long, slow finish.
Pairs well with juicy red meat and slow-cooked game dishes, a roast lamb shank, or aged manchego cheese. Decant and let it open up, a good couple of hours.
The Dão region, in the center of Portugal, is known for elegant, complex and full-bodied wines, with exceptional acidity and aging potential. The region’s vineyards are planted on granite hillsides, and the soil is predominantly sandy and well-drained.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Quinta do Pinto, Merlot/Syrah
[grape/vintage] Merlot, Syrah / 2018
[region] Lisboa
Harvested at night, fermented together, this harmonious blend of two famous international travelers is a window into a private dance of two passionate lovers. Strong in character, smooth in execution, voluminous in movement! A marriage with spice and depth, drawing inspiration from local soils and filling the air with wafts of black fruits, vanilla, coffee and a hint of cherry. Savour the dance in your mouth, the balance, the poise, the slow long tannic finish down your throat.
Our sommelier has this to say about it: Deep ruby color. Intense aroma of black fruit and spices with subtle harmonious notes of tomato branches. Elegant and voluminous on the mouth, black fruits, dark chocolate and spices perfectly combined with notes of wood, ending with polished tannins and a long finish.
Pairs well with a juicy steak, a pheasant stew, any variety of strong, mature cheeses.
The Lisboa region is located just north and west of Lisbon. The region’s diverse landscape includes coastal areas, hills and valleys, which creates a variety of microclimates and soil types, producing a range of wines, including red, white, and rosé, and is known for its high-quality and innovative winemaking.
Check it out in The Cellar.