The brilliant Douro wines of Mateus Nicolau de Almeida/Ameztoy & Almeida
Website: https://ameztoyalmeida.com/
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida is the son of the well known João Nicolau d’Almeida of Ramos Pinto fame, and the grandson of Fernando Nicolau d’Almeida who began Barca Velha back in 1952.
Growing up surrounded by wine he went out and got lots of experience around the world of wine, including an important time spent working on the Bordeaux properties of Denis Dubourdieu, the famous wine scientist. In 1996 he was working at Cantenac Brown, another Bordeaux estate, where he met his wife, Teresa Ameztoy.
Like Mateus, Teresa has a winemaking family background. Her father worked for La Rioja Alta, and she worked as chief winemaker at Ramos Pinto from 2005-2019, and now they both work together on the venture that Mateus began in 2014, after he left Muxagat, a winery he founded in 2003.
They have 4 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, and also source grapes from other growers.
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Mater-Dôme (Mêda) Branco 2024 Douro, Portugal
Aged in a mix of concrete and 500 litre barrels. Lovely energy here. Bright and mineral with fine spices. Has nice citrus density and also some richer grapey notes. 93/100
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Eremitas Antão do Desserto 2022 Douro, Portugal
Rabigato raised in concrete, after foot treading for 3 hours. Bold, mineral and spicy with nice density, and a bit of grip. Very stylish with nice weight. 93/100
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Curral Teles Vinho Vermelho NV Douro, Portugal
A blend of 2020 and 2021, 3 hours foot treading then pressed. Nicely textured with sweet, smooth cherry and plum fruit. A lovely layered lighter red wine that’s soft and expressive. 93/100
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Trans-Douro-Express Baixo Corgo 2022 Douro, Portugal
Aromatic with lovely sweet cherry and plum fruit. Some raspberry, too. Chalky and fine and fresh. 95/100
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Curral Teles Tinto 2015 Douro, Portugal
This is stainless steel only. Rich but fresh, with lovely texture and finesse. Structured and broad but with real finesse. 95/100
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Mater-Dôme (Mêda) 2009 Douro, Portugal
2 years in oak/concrete then 13 years in stainless steel. Fine and layered, spicy and dense, with a little evolution but lovely detail. Grippy and refined. 95/100
