Community Tasting Notes 4

• forceberry wrote: 93 points

  April 23, 2024 - A special cuvée made only in exceptional vintages - this is only the second time this cuvée has been made after the debut vintage 2003. The organically farmed fruit is mainly sourced from the very old, interplanted (48 different grape varieties have been identified) vineyards Alta and Meio, which were planted in the 1950's at Quinta da Pellada (70%), backed up with an addition of Touriga Nacional from parcel 5 (30%). Fermented spontaneously in stainless steel vats, aged for 36 months in three 400-liter oak casks of 2nd and 3rd use. 13,2% alcohol, 6,0 g/l acidity, pH 3,72 and total SO2 60 mg/l.
  
  Deep, slightly translucent dark cherry color. The nose feels fragrant and quite fascinating with rather idiosyncratic aromas of fresh bilberries, some ripe boysenberry tones, light cool notes of minty greenness, a little bit of perfumed floral character, a hint of cassis cough drops and a touch of fresh Bing cherry. So many things going on here! The wine is clean, juicy and vibrant on the palate with a medium body and characterful flavors of brambly black raspberries, some floral notes of violets and elderflowers, light minty green nuances, a little bit of fresh cherry, a hint of cassis and a touch of blueberry juice. The wine structure relies mostly on the high acidity, while the ripe medium tannins bring some welcome firmness to the mouthfeel. The finish is ripe, long and gently grippy with a long aftertaste of juicy dark berries, some minty green nuances, a little bit of crème de cassis, light floral nuances, a hint of stony minerality and a touch of brambly raspberry.
  
  A wonderfully fresh, vibrant and very characterful Dão red that does show some ripeness, yet at the same time comes across as wonderfully bright, precise and light on its feet! The aromatics here are quite unique and something I haven't picked up in any other Dão reds - a real testament to the depth and character of the old interplanted vineyards of this region! The wine is so nuanced and fine-tuned, it's very hard to pick up any obvious, pronounced characteristics - the aromas and flavors are intermingling with each other so wonderfully that the wine seems like every sniff and taste manages to offer something new. Captivating stuff. Solid value at 35€.

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• Montesquieu Likes this wine: 92 points

  December 3, 2023 - I bought this from Garagiste after their end of year praise for it. Predictably, its blend of unknown Portuguese varietals results in something that doesn't resemble any other particular grape I know. There's very little sweet fruit. At best, I'd suggest dehydrated blackberry. Lots of earth and bramble. It's dark and dense but not heavy. At two hours post-decant, it tasted far better than in the first hour, so give it some air and time. I'd pair it with charcuterie or red meat (beef, bison).

  Comment

• Portland Seth Likes this wine: 89 points

  November 28, 2023 - Took Wmccone54's advice, popped and poured. This tastes like a delicious bistro wine that if it sold for €10 I would purchase by the case and never shut up about. Unfortunately CellarTracker reminds me that I paid $40 a bottle. Oh well. I've had many, many wines that were over oaked. This is one of the few that I think was under oaked.
  
  Appealing dark color, floral and mineral aromas, fruits dominated by grape flavors with some blueberry and cranberry. A touch of woody bramble on the finish. Body is a little thin, tannins are present but a little weak, acidity is lively and fresh. Tasty and fun but at this price I expect more.

  Comment

• wmccone54 wrote: 89 points

  July 29, 2023 - Somewhat disappointing; decanted 90 minutes prior to a dinner of grilled ribeye, corn on the cob, and mushrooms. According to the producer website, this is a field blend of 40+ varieties, mostly old vine, fermented in stainless and aged in very large, used oak casks. In spite of the intoxicating aromatics, this lacks fruit intensity, and focus. To some extent, the tannin seems distant, but it’s well integrated, lurking underneath. Smooth and velvety mouthfeel, but ends a bit shortish. In retrospect, I think I’ll PnP the next bottle. Drink now through 2027.

  1 person found this helpful Comment

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2018
• Type Red
• Producer Quinta da Pellada
• Varietal Red Blend
• Designation Pelada Mulher Nua
• Vineyard n/a
• Country Portugal
• Region Beiras
• SubRegion n/a
• Appellation Dão
• UPC Code 5606686001598

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 2 (1%)
• In Cellars 171 (87%)
• Consumed 24 (12%)

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