Herdade do Rocim   
Ambitious new producer in Portugal's Alentejo region
 

Website: www.herdadedorocim.com

Located between Vidigueira and Cuba in the Lower Alentejo, Herdade do Rocim has 60 hectares of vines. It was bought by Terralis Lda in 2000, and for the last few years there has been intense restructuring, with the redevelopment of the vineyards and construction of an architecturally striking new winery. Top wine is Grande Rocim, an Alicante Bouschet-based wine of real intensity and power. Next tier down is the Olho de Mocho red (quite serious with lovely floral perfume and well defined fresh berry fruits), white (citrussy and mineral with some grapefuit pith notes) and rosé, followed by the more affordable Rocim, which shows sweet ripe berryish fruit. There is also a nice wine tourism project here.

Herdade do Rocim Grande Rocim 2007
A varietal Alicante Bouschet, this is densely coloured with lovely open, sweet, rich, ripe dark fruits on the nose, as well as herbal complexity. The palate is concentrated and dense with lovely spicy, tannic fruit. Mouthfilling and huge, but in balance, just. I really like it. 94/100

Herdade do Rocim Ohlo de Mocho Reserva 2007
A blend of Syrah, Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet. Amazingly aromatic, with perfumed dark cherry, plum, violet and vanilla notes. The palate is ripe and sweetly fruited with spicy oak providing a foil for the sweet but well defined fresh berry fruits. Vibrant, modern and expressive. Joyful, even. 92/100

Herdade do Rocim Rocim 2006
A blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet. Sweet, ripe cherry and berry fruit with some raspberry intensity on the palate. There’s a nice spicy twist to the pure fruit with a bit of tannic grip keeping it from being too sweet. Classic Alentejo style: berryish and sweet. 89/100

Herdade do Rocim Ocho de Mocho Reserva Branco 2008
A varietal Antão Vaz, this is citrussy and mineral with some grapefruit pith notes. Quite savoury with nice acidity and some softness of texture. Restrained with gentle nuttiness on the finish. Interesting. 88/100

Herdade do Rocim Vale da Mata Reserva 2007 Lisboa (cask sample)
Muted nose. The palate is savoury and taut with minerally cherry and plum fruit. Fresh, elegant and quite serious with lovely acidity. An interesting wine aiming at elegance rather than power. 92/100

See also:

Visiting the Alentejo (series)

Wines tasted as 03/10  
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