Invincible, a new Douro star winery from Marc Kent and Rita Marques
Website: https://invincible.com.pt/
This is the Douro project of Marc Kent and Rita Marques. Marc is well known as the founder and head of Boekenhoutskloof in South Africa, but he’s fallen in love with the Douro and now spends most of his time there. Rita previously made wines under the Conceito label, including a fabulous Bastardo that I was in love with!
Invincible (full name Companhia de Vinhos Invencível) began in 2000, so it’s still early days for this project, and the top wines are only being released now. The winery is based in the Cima Corgo, right in the heart of the Douro.
These wines range from everyday affordable (the Numero Um is around £12 in the UK, and is available in supermarkets) to more ambitious. They also make a Vinho Verde called Natural Mystic, which retails for £16.
Invincible Número Um Branco 2025 Douro, Portugal (sample)
A little bit of Muscat is used here, fermented in amphora. The resy of the wine is in concrete. Bright and stony with lovely pure fruit. Crisp with nice balance, and real potential. 91/100
Invincible Número Dois Branco 2024 Douro, Portugal
Made from older vineyards, this is half concrete and half barrel. Some oak adds an extra dimension. Bright and linear, this is fresh with some nutty, mealy hints, with nice balance. 91/100
Invincible ‘The Invincible’ Branco 2024 Douro, Portugal
This is first release. Juicy and bright, this is a vivid white wine with nice intensity. Zippy with some stony minerality and a touch of spicy oak. Very sophisticated. 93/100
Invincible Número Um Tinto 2024 Douro, Portugal
Juicy, bright and fruity with a nice focus to the sweet raspberry and cherry fruit. Vital. Lovely fruit with liqourice and a touch of pepper. 92/100 (this is £12.75 in Sainsbury’s in the UK.)
Invincible Número Dois Tinto 2023 Douro, Portugal
60 year old vines, fermented in concrete tanks, then spends one year in barrel and another year in concrete tank. Juicy, bright and vivid with nice spicy framing to the fresh cherry and berry fruits, with a lick of liquorice. Modern in style showing bright fruit, with some tarriness around the margins. 92/100
Invincible ‘The Invincible’ Tinto 2023 Douro, Portugal
From a vineyard planted in 1930. Concentrated but supple with lovely pure black cherry and blackberry fruit with a nice salty edge and some good tannic structure. Very fine and expressive. 94/100
Natural Mystic Vinhas Velhas 2025 Vinho Verde, Portugal
Mostly Loureiro. Lively, vivid and bright with nice focus and fruitiness. Very zippy but has texture and balance. 92/100
