The wines of Malhadinha Nova, Alentejo, Portugal
I’ve followed the wines of Malhadinha Nova over the years, since their promising debut in the early noughties. The vineyards were planted in 2000, and the first vines released in 2003, and I visited in 2004 and 2011. They are based in the far south of the region, and the estate is quite beautiful, and includes some high-end accommodation. My last write-up is here
I recently caught up with João and Rita Soares to taste through the wines, which have been 100% organic since 2016. The consultant winemaker since the beginning has been Luis Duarte, and for the last 11 years resident winemaker has been Nuno Gonzalez. The signature here is freshness in a warm climate.
THE WINES
Peceguina Branco 2020 Alentejo, Portugal
Bright, linear and fresh with lovely pear fruit and a hint of apple. Very focused and bright with a slightly stony edge and nice purity to the fruit. 89/100
Peceguina Branco 2021 Alentejo, Portugal
Very bright and linear with lovely purity, as well as crisp citrus fruit, with some pear richness. Nice purity to this wine which is mineral and focused with great precision. 92/100
Antão Vaz de Malhadinha 2020 Alentejo, Portugal
Fresh, bright and linear with lovely focus, showing purity to the citrus fruit. Some mandarin detail to this linear wine. 92/100
Viognier de Malhadinha 2021 Alentejo, Portugal
First bottling of this variety since 2016, just 2000 bottles made. This is really pretty with lovely varietal character: fresh and vivid with pear, apricot and some citrus. Nice bright acidity here. 91/100
Malhadinha Nova Branco 2019 Alentejo, Portugal
This is mainly Arinto, and it’s started in steel and then finished in 500 litre barrels, one-third of which are new. Nutty, creamy and linear with nice freshness. There’s a woody edge to the pear and green apple, and also some citrus brightness. Quite savoury, this needs time. 90/100
Peceguina Rosé 2021 (tank sample)
A blend of Baga, Tinta Miuda and Trincadeira. Fresh, supple and bright with nice strawberry and cherry fruit. There’s some pear drop character. Lively and vivid with nice weight. 88/100
Monte de Peceguina 2019 Alentejo, Portugal
Matured in used French oak. Juicy and linear with nice sweet cherry and plum fruit. Floral and bright with nice cherry, raspberry and plum notes. Very fresh but also generous. 91/100
Touriga Nacional de Malhadinha 2019 Alentejo, Portugal
100% new French oak. This wine isn’t made every year. Lovely supple cherry and raspberry fruit with some spicy framing. The oak integrates well and this shows nice texture with a hint of meatiness. Stylish. 92/100
Malhadinha Tinto 2019 Alentejo, Portugal
Powerful and textured with fresh, bright cherry and raspberry fruit with nice texture. There are hints of olive and spice, and also some well integrated oak. Lovely texture and depth here. 94/100
