Quinta da Pellada/Quinta de Saes: the Castros are doing something special in Portugal’s Dão region
Website: https://www.quintadapellada.com/
Alvaro Castro and his daughter Maria have been very important in the modern Dão story. They have two quintas, Pellada and Saes, and make a broad range of wines from these. I tasted with Maria at the Simplesmente Vinho festival in Porto, February 2026.
Here’s a report from a visit with Alvaro back in 2004! https://www.wineanorak.com/dao4_pellada.htm
Quinta de Saes Tobias Cerceal Branco 2024 Dão, Portugal
This is uncomplicated but delicious, showing bright fresh green apple and lemon fruit and nice purity. 90/100
Quinta de Saes Tobias Curtimento 2023 Dão, Portugal
This skin-fermented white is made from the Barcello variety. Lovely texture and presence here. Refined citrus and pear fruit with nice weight. 93/100
Quinta de Saes Encruzado 2025 Dão, Portugal
Encruzado just delivers with its incisive fruit and good acidity. Juicy and bright lively pear fruit with citrus notes. Good concentration still very primary. 92/100
Quinta da Pellada Primus 2024 Dão, Portugal
This is a special wine that’s a field blend from a 70 year old vineyard. Fresh but with complexity and texture. Has pear and peach as well as lime. Multidimensional. 94/100
Quinta de Saes Rosé 2024 Dão, Portugal
Supple and juicy. Sappy edge to pear fruit. Nice acid line. Gastronomic style. 92/100
Quinta de Saes Tobias Palhete 2024 Dão, Portugal
20% white grapes in this co-ferment of red and white varieties. Nice concentration here with vivid cherry fruit. Has some depth to it but it’s still very drinkable. 91/100
Quinta de Saes Tobias Red 2022 Dão, Portugal
80% Jaen. Bright and vivid with floral red fruits and also some stony savouriness. Nice balance here. 92/100
Quinta de Saes Altitude Field Blend VV 2019 Dão, Portugal
A new wine in the portfolio. Juicy and bright with bold cherry fruit and a savoury, spicy edge. Nice spicy detail, showing good balance. 93/100
Quinta da Pellada Tinto 2019 Dão, Portugal
Complex and refined in a classical style showing lovely energy. Savoury, spicy twist. Real harmony 94/100
Quinta da Pellada Pape 2022 Dão, Portugal
Two vineyards, one Baga one Touriga Nacional. Supple, stony, fresh and detailed. Beautiful harmony with freshness and poise. Lovely mineral finish. 95/100
Quinta da Pellada Carrocel 2022 Dão, Portugal
100% Touriga Nacional. Concentrated and refined with bold raspberry and cherry, good acidity and structure. Such presence here. 95/100
