NV Quinta das Bágeiras Bairrada Abafado

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 93 points

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  4/22/2024 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points

  100% Baga. The bunches are only crushed but not destemmed and fermented in lagares until the level of residual sugar reaches the level of about 75 g/l, at which point the fermentation is halted by 70% aguardente distilled at the estate. The fortified wine is moved into old oak barrels and left to age for approximately 15 years. This wine is 18,5% in alcohol, approx. 80 g/l in residual sugar and it is composed of vintages 2004, 2005 and 2007. Bottle #170 of total 1039 bottles.
  
  Very slightly hazy caramel-brown color with a reddish maroon hue. The rich nose feels very attractive with layered aromas of caramel and toffee, some oxidative nutty tones, a little bit of dried dark fruits, light smoky nuances, a hint of arrack and a touch of jammy red berries. The wine feels rich, sweet and somewhat spicy on the palate with a full body and complex flavors of syrupy molasses and dried fruits, some arrack, light raisiny tones, a little bit of butterscotch, oxidative hints of chopped nuts and caramel and a touch of Christmas spices. The moderately high acidity keeps the wine enjoyably in balance. The finish is rich, complex and somewhat oxidative with a sweet, layered aftertaste of caramel and prunes, some raisiny tones, a little bit of Christmas spices, light oxidative nutty nuances, a hint of arrack and a touch of toffee.
  
  A wonderfully nuanced, complex and delicious fortified wine made in a style of a Tawny Port, yet the overall style feels a bit lighter and less burly compared to Tawny Ports, making this come across more like a missing link between a Tawny Port and a Bual Madeira. I guess the somewhat cooler and more Atlantic climate of Bairrada, the higher acidity of Baga and the slightly lower level of residual sugar all contribute to the sense of freshness and sophistication here. I guess the high quality of the estate-distilled aguardente should not be forgotten, either! All in all, this is a delicious, less rich and more delicate alternative to a 20-yo Tawny Port. I doubt it will evolve much or at all in the bottle, but it won't fall apart anytime soon, either. Solid value at 32,50€. Highly recommended!

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