Carlos Raposo, World Wild Wines: in search of precision from Dão, Portugal
Website: https://worldwildwines.com/en/
Carlos Raposo made wines for Niepoort (2011-2018) and others, before setting out on his own. He’s based in Nelas in the Dão wine region. First vintage was 2018, and the wines are made in a focused, early-picked style to keep definition.
He began with some very pricey wines under the Vinhos Imperfeitos label, but has more recently added WorldWildWines, with three tiers of wines from Dão.
He says that his wines show mainly in the mouth: he’s not looking for aromatics.
Impecável is the stainless steel range of wines, while Ideal is the range of blends of traditional Dão grape varieties. Definido is the top tier of single-site wines.
These wines were tasted on two occassions: Simplesmente Vinhos in Porto (February 2025) and Glu Glu festival in Coimbra (June 2025)
Impecável Branco 2024 Dão, Portugal
This is Encruzado. Fresh, layered and texture with nice pear fruit showing some grainy detail. Lovely balance to this wine. 93/100
Impecável Rosé 2024 Dão, Portugal
12% alcohol. 40 year old Touriga Nacional vines. This is vivid pink in colour, and it’s taut and juicy with nice acidity. Precise and pure with tart cherries and a nice juicy character, with some redcurrant. 92/100
Ideal Branco 2022 Dão, Portugal
This spends 12 months in used French oak. It’s a blend of Encruzado, Malvasia, Bical and Cerceal. The subtle oaky edge adds nutty notes to the bright citrus and pear fruit. Nice weight and good acidity. 92/100
Definido Vinhas Velhas 2022 Dão, Portugal
Old vines from centenarian vineyards, 12 months in concrete tanks. Stony and mineral with nice brightness, showing lovely balance. Layered and textural with nice acid line. 94/100
Defio x Carlos Raposa Vinhas Velhas Branco 2023 Dão, Portugal
This is a field blend fermented and aged in concrete, and it’s fine, layered, textured and mineral. Nice concentration with a stony edge. This is really good. 94/100
Impecável Tinto 2023 Dão, Portugal
12.8% alcohol. No oak. Floral and fresh with red cherry and redcurrant fruit, showing nice sweetness and lovely flow across the palate. Supple, fine and smashable with lovely purity. 94/100
Ideal Tinto 2022 Dão, Portugal
50 year old vines (Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional), aged in French oak from Puligny Montrachet for 22 months. Supple, restrained and juicy with nice sweet cherry and plum fruit. Crunchy and fine. It’s elegant but it has good flavour and some mineral intensity. 94/100
Tinta Pinheira 2023 Dão, Portugal
Just 2000 bottles made. This was made in stainless steel. Lighter-style red with juicy strawberries and herbs, as well as some ginger spice notes. Supple, fine and really expressive. Textural. 93/100
