The Enthusiast - January 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.
Memórias de Santar, Branco
[grape/vintage] Encruzado, Malvasia Fina / 2022
[region] Dão
Memories and echoes of a vanished world. Ancient whispers among old vines and crumbling walls. The winemakers have captured these voices with precision, harvesting in small batches early in the morning, full de-stemming, and letting the Encruzado express itself with a hint of that sweet spicy Malvasia Fina.
Our sommelier describes it thus: Presents with citrus and white fruit notes. In the mouth, excellent volume, mineral tones and delicate ripe fruit. A modern profile, but very classy and gastronomic.
Pairs well with anything east of red meat: chicken piri-piri, paella, a braised sea bass or some fresh sushi.
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.
Luis Pato "João Pato"
[grape/vintage] Touriga Nacional / 2017
[region] Bairrada
The master, Luis Pato, might seem like the Godfather of innovation in Portuguese winemaking but this one is a homage to his dad, Sr. João Pato and is a finely tuned Portuguese classic: bright and in your face and earthy and drinkable.
Our sommelier’s thoughts: João Pato Touriga Nacional is designed to be enjoyed young: fruity and intense, it is a red with a memorable palate.
We suggest pairing this with braised lamb shank or steak and kidney pie.
Bairrada produces wines with high acidity and tannins, often aged in oak barrels to soften the tannins and develop complex flavors. The region’s soil is predominantly clay and limestone, which helps to retain moisture and gives the wines a distinct minerality.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Quinta do Pinto Estate Collection
[grape/vintage] Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Aragonês, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tinta Miúda / 2015
[region] Lisboa
Make me smile. Make me feel something. Make me think. Yup, this classy blend of international and Portuguese grapes does all that. It’s a late night café in Mouraria, full of life and polyglot conversation. It’s a night train to Budapest in 1990, full of hope and cigarette smoke. Fresh and ready, balanced and intelligent, full of character.
Our sommelier has this to say about it: Rich garnet colour with flecks of cherry. Intense aroma, with a slight minty touch and ripe forest fruits where currants and black berries stand out. In the mouth, voluminous and smooth with present but silky tannins, notes of pepper and a persistent aftertaste marked by hints of dark chocolate.
Works well with a seared fatty 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.