This Saturday’s VINTAGES release features a new wine for us, Herdade do Arrepiado Velho, from a region we love (Alentejo, Portugal), made by people we love (FitaPreta Vinhos, AKA SEXY, Fita Preta, etc). For those of you who have been following his story, António Maçanita, winemaker at FitaPreta, is a young, dynamic winemaker who learned the ropes at some of the most prestigious names in the wine business, including Rudd in Napa, d’Arenberg in Australia, and Château Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux.
António tells me that David Booth, the viticulturist behind FitaPreta (and several other projects in Alentejo) who sadly passed away in April, thought that the vineyards at Herdade do Arrepiado were the most perfect vineyards he had ever seen, or had the opportunity to work with. The slopes, aspects, terroir, climate, EVERYTHING is apparently perfect, and David loved working with the Antunes family that owns them. Check out their facebook page to see pictures of their beautiful vineyards!
This wine is big, dense, dark and intense, and at the same time elegant and well-balanced. This is a fantastic opportunity to taste Portugal’s flagship grape, Touriga National, made by one of Portugal’s most highly acclaimed producers!
Sincerely,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
Herdade Do Arrepiado Velho Tinto 2010
Tasting Note:
“Made with Touriga Nacional, one of the prime grapes used to make Port. This terrific table-wine version does the variety proud. Features cherry, strawberry, blackberry and vanilla aromas. Dry and very rich with tons of fruit, but it is not jammy; there’s a lot of elegance within its fruity roundness. Enjoy with rich lamb dishes. (VINTAGES panel, March 2012)
Reviews:
“Intriguing, orange Pekoe tea aromatics, alongside orange essence, fresh golden Virginia tobacco, and lightly baked/raisined fruit character. The palate is soft and smooth, reasonably well-balanced, with more black tea flavours. Alcohol spices up the finish. Correct; appealing. Tasted November 2012. Value Rating: **”
Score: 88
(John Szabo, MS, Wine Align)
“This 100% touriga nacional – a great opportunity to understand the floral, blueberry/blackberry scented fruit of this important Portuguese variety. There is some nutty, coffee oak as well. It’s medium weight, rounded, juicy and sweetish on the palate – more like California zinfandel than a traditional Portuguese red. Tannins are quite fine. The length is very good. Best over the next three years.Tasted December 2012.”
Score: 88
(David Lawrason, Wine Align)
Varietal: 100% Touriga Nacional
Region: Alentejo, Portugal
Price: $19.95 (per bottle)
LCBO #295337
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