The wines of Quinta
da Alorna, Ribatejo, Portugal
UK agents:
Laymont & Shaw (tel. 01872 27 05 45; info@laymont-shaw.co.uk)
Quinta da Alorna is a large 3000 hectare estate in
Portugal’s Ribatejo region. Family owned, this was primarily an
agricultural estate that did a bit of wine on the side, but fairly
recently they decided to focus more on wine, and now have an
impressive 280 ha of vines. These are planted on sandy soils, and
there is no irrigation, with yields of about 6 tonnes per hectare.
The wines themselves are very impressive in a fruit-forward,
almost new-world style. If this is your thing, then they come very
highly recommended and offer good value for money. The Ribatejo
seems to emerging as a really good source of well made,
modern-styled Portuguese reds at attractive prices.
QA Castelão 2000 Ribatejo
Nice clean cherry fruit on the nose with some lifted spicy
notes. The palate displays firm berry fruit with some sweetness
and chocolatey richness. Spicy finish. This is a very rich wine.
Brilliant commercial winemaking. Very good/excellent (Folio Wines,
Adnams £6.95)
QA Casa da Alorna Colheita Seleccionada 2000 Ribatejo
A blend of Trincadeira, Tinta Miuda and Castelão. Lovely
berry fruit nose with a spicy richness. Richly fruited, spicy,
chunky palate. This has a lovely texture and is very modern and
boldly fruited. Cherryish finish. Still distinctly Portuguese.
Very good/excellent (£6.95 Selfridges, Lay & Wheeler,
Villeneuve, Christopher Piper)
QA Trincadeira 2000, Ribatejo
Deep coloured. Very forward nose of deep, rich blackcurrant
and berry fruit with a spicy oak edge. The palate is very rich and
fruity with a rich oaky edge (from 6 months in American oak
barrels). Very concentrated and modern, in an Australian style.
Very good/excellent (£6.95)
QA Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 Ribatejo
Aged in French oak. Lovely rich tarry blackcurrant fruit on
the nose, which is forward and modern. Chunky, very
Australian-style palate with good density of berry fruit and
attractive spiciness from the oak, which is less pronounced than
in the Trincadeira. Delicious. Very good/excellent (£6.95)
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