The wines of Quinta dos Currais, Beira Interior, Portugal
The Beira Interior is a lesser-known but really interesting wine region nestled on the eastern side of Portugal, just below the Douro and above the Alentejo. Quinta dos Currais is one of the leading producers there, and I tried some of their range. They have 30 hectares of vines, planted in 1996, on schist soils in a 130 hectare estate.
Quinta dos Currais Colheita Seleccionada Branco 2022 Beira Interior, Portugal
50% Fonte Cal, 25% Arinto, 25% Síria. Lovely focus to the bright citrus fruit with a touch of pear and subtle, grippy, pithy structure. Nice acidity and focus. 89/100
Quinta dos Currais Síria 2022 Beira Interior, Portugal
13.5% alcohol. This is bright and focused with a nice lemon and grapefruit core, as well as a twist of apricot and ripe pear. Lovely focused fruit with juiciness and some pithy structure. 90/100
Quinta dos Currais Reserva 2020 Beira Interior, Portugal
15% alcohol. This is 80% Touriga Nacional, 15% Aragonez and 5% Castelao. Tarry, spicy and a bit reductive on the nose. Dense palate with blackberry and black cherry fruit with firm tannins. Bold, focused and firm on the finish. Grippy and dark. 89/100
Quinta dos Currais Colheita Seleccionada 2021 Beira Interior, Portugal
14.5% alcohol. 40% Aragonez, 35% Touriga Nacional, 15% Castelao, 10% Rufete. Savoury, spicy nose with some cedar and tar notes, as well as raspberry and blackberry fruit. The palate is grippy with a savoury oak character under the sweet red and black fruits. Firm and woody. 88/100
Quinta dos Currais Talabara 2019 Beira Interior, Portugal
15% alcohol. Touriga Nacional, 12 month ageing in French oak. Dense, with sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit supplemented by savoury, spicy oak. Bold and intense with real grip, and notes of tar and cedar. 90/100
