2018 Quinta da Pellada Dão Pelada Mulher Nua

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 92.5 points

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  4/23/2024 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points

  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 fruit is mainly sourced from 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%), with a smaller addition of Touriga Nacional from plot no. 5 (30%). Fermented spontaneously in oak. 13% alcohol.
  
  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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  12/3/2023 - Montesquieu Likes this wine: 92 Points

  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).

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