With the Portocol Protocol at ProWein, tasting 13 member’s wines
Website: https://www.portoprotocol.com/
I spent some time on the stand of the Porto Protocol today at ProWein. They are doing some remarkable work, promoting true sustainability in wine through acting as a knowledge sharing and connecting hub. They now have 250 wineries and partners in their membership, and organize a range of meetings, including last year’s successful living vineyards tour.
They’ve published an excellent guide to packaging, and more reports like this are in the pipeline.
I tasted these wines from their members – an interesting selection.
Secret Spot Lacrau Moscatel Galego Granco 2017 Douro, Portugal
Powerful and lively with bold pear and white peach fruit, a touch of pithiness, some richness but also keen acidity. There’s some grapey richness, too. Lovely intensity. 93/100
Dodon Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2024 Maryland, USA
Powerful but balanced with herb-tinged crystalline citrus fruit. Lime and pear with nice presence and acidity. Lovely balance. 92/100
Loimer Grosse Reserve Blanc de Blancs 2020 Langenlois, Kamptal, Austria
85% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Blanc, 4%Pinot Gris. Sparkling is now 25% of Loimer’s production. Concentrated citrus fruit with some honey, toast and spice richness. Lovely depth and intensity here with an expanding, spicy finish. This is quite beautiful. 94/100
Quinta do Sampayo Tinto 2024 Tejo, Portugal
12% alcohol. Aragonez, Castelão and Touriga Nacional. This is quite lovely with ripe, rich sweet cherry and plum fruit but also some freshness. Lovely rounded mouthfeel with real drinkability. Has a hint of olive on the finish. 93/100
Manincor il Conte 2023 Vigneti Delle Dolomiti Rosso, Italy
13% alcohol. Lovely concentration and freshness here with a grainy structure under the bold blackberry fruits. Great structure and depth to this. 94/100
Manincor der Kiel 2024 Lago di Caldaro Classico Superiore, Italy
12.5% alcohol. Lighter in colour this is floral and elegant with sweet red cherries. Juicy with a nice cranberry crunch on the finish. Lovely fresh lighter red. 93/100
Quinta do Carmo Alicante Bouschet Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2022 Alentejo
14.5% alcohol. Ripe and plush with sweet lush berry fruits showing good concentration and then finishing with a sour cherry twist and nice tangy bitterness. 92/100
Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Hall Ranch Vineyard 2024 Paso Robles, California
14.5% alcohol. Ripe, rich and sweetly aromatic with bold, lush blackcurrant fruit with a spicy framing. A rich wine but it has balance. And the packaging is superb. 91/100
Herdade dos Grous Tinto 2024 Alentejo, Portugal
13% alcohol. This is fresh and lively with a core of ripe berry fruits with a touch of sour cherry and baked plum as well as some dried herb notes. This is very stylish with a pleasant bitterness on the finish. 92/100
Gaivosa Primeiros Anos 2023 Douro, Portugal
14% alcohol. This is ripe and rich with sweet raspberry and cherry fruit and some nice spicy detail. Grippy tannins offset the ripe, bold fruit quite nicely. This is a lovely expression of the Douro. 93/100
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2023 Cape Town, South Africa
This is quite lovely with exotic peach and apricot fruit as well as some nice spicy depth and good concentration. It’s rich but really well balanced. A bold expression of Chenin. 93/100
Quinta da Pedra Millagres Alvarinho 2021 Vinho Verde, Portugal
This shows nice concentration of bold citrus fruit with a touch of peachy richness and some spicy detail. Great balance here. 92/100
Casa Relvas Rosé Pom-Pom 2024 Alentejo, Portugal (magnum)
12% alcohol. Pale pink. Bright and lively with a touch of cherry and nicely weighted citrus notes. Stylish and textural with lovely depth. 91/100
