Portuguese mini-study: four red wines from Casa Ferreirinha, Quinta Nova, Douorum and Rocim
These four Portuguese reds were all purchased from supermarket Pingo Doce and an independent wine shop, while I was teaching in Vila Real.
Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande 2023 Douro, Portugal
13% alcohol. 18 months in used French oak. This is beautifully fresh and floral, with a touch of nice green sitting alongside the sweet cherry and raspberry fruit. There’s a touch of olive and cured meat savouriness here as well as some nice grippy tannins providing a foil to the fruit. Massive drinkability and quite a bit of pleasure, and I really like the freshness that this wine has. This could age well over the short term: it’s tight and unfurled. 92/100 (This is cheap in Portugal, at around €12, and about £17 in the UK)
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Unoaked 2024 Douro, Portugal
13.5% alcohol. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão. This is vivid and fresh with some floral black cherry fruit as well as hints of olive and pepper, then with freshness and a bit of structure on the palate. There’s some really pretty fruit here, but it’s also quite substantial with a bit of grunt. A lovely, well balanced Douro red with a lot of local character. 93/100 (€16.90 in a grocery shop in Vila Real)
Tons de Duorum Talhão 37 2024 Douro, Portugal
13.5% alcohol. Duorum is a collaboration between José Maria Soares Franco and João Portugal Ramos, and this is a private label for supermarket Pingo Doce, where it is for sale at €6.99 from €13.99. This is bright and focused with a spicy, vivid, slightly peppery/tarry/bacon edge to the sweet berry and cherry fruit. There’s freshness and florality here, with a marked contribution from Touriga Nacional, and then some grip and presence on the finish. No jamminess or over-ripeness here. For the price, this is remarkable value. 91/100 (€6.99 Pingo Doce from €13.99)
Vinhas Velhas do Rocim Alicante Bouschet 2024 Alentejo, Portugal
14% alcohol. I think this is another Pingo Doce private label, from the well respected Rocim in Vidigueira in the Alentejo. It’s got a really fresh, fruity, almost jellyish nose with nice cherry, strawberry and ripe plum fruit. In the mouth this is fruity and open with a really supple character, showing juicy fruit and nice brightness. It’s sweet and jellyish, and reminds me a bit of Lodi Zinfandel. 89/100 (€7.99 Pingo Doce promoted from €19.99)
