Cas ‘Amaro, a growing wine tourism and winemaking project in several Portuguese regions
Website: https://www.casamaro.pt/en/index.php
Cas ‘Amaro is an emerging winemaking and wine tourism powerhouse. They began in 2016 with the acquisition of an estate in Alenquer, in the Lisboa region. This old winery had 4.5 hectares of vineyards. They redeveloped it into luxury accommodation and since 2022 have been making wines here from organically farmed grapes.
But they have also bought properties in other Portuguese wine regions, and these are also earmarked for conversion into high-end wine tourism ventures. In the Alentejo they bought Herdade Monte de Castelete, a 70 hectare property. In the Douro they have 30 hectares of vineyard in the Cima Corgo after acquiring São Joaquim and Navarro, and they have the 25 hectare Quinto do Busto in Vinho Verde. Finally, there’s Quinta da Fontalta in the Dão.
I tasted these wines with Ricardo Santos, who is part-time winemaking director here. His own project is XXVI Talhas in the Alentejo.
Cas ‘Amaro Sercial Pét Nat 2024 Lisboa, Portugal
This has no sulfites added, and it isn’t disgorged. Cloudy and lively with bright grapefruit, pear and lime fruitiness. This is tangy and lively, and it’s quite lovely. 92/100
Madame Pió Sercial Branca Reserva 2024 Lisboa, Portugal
6 months in oak. Mineral, spicy and fresh with high acidity and some nice subtle oak influence. Nice intensity. 90/100
Madame Pió Arinto Reserva 2021 Lisboa, Portugal
Lovely weight here with good acidity. Pure and stony with nice citrus drive. Quite mineral. Lovely. 92/100
Mitologia Encruzado 2023 Dão, Portugal
Lively, stony and elegant, with nice pure citrus fruit. This has great presence with good acidity. Linear. 93/100
Falatório Rosé 2023 Lisboa, Portugal
Tinta Miuda and Camarate. Pale pink in colour. Lovely citrus, apple and cherry fruit with some pear. A dry style with nice presence and good acidity. 91/100
Falatório Bastardo 2022 Lisboa, Portugal
12.5% alcohol. Raised in concrete tanks. Lighter-style red that’s soft with nice stony, herby detail to the cherry and ripe strawberry fruit. Elegant style. 93/100
Implause Tinto Field Blend 2023 Alentejo, Portugal
13% alcohol. From Estremoz. Stainless steel. Juicy, bright and vivid with red cherry and raspberry fruit. Very pure and enticing. Supple and stony with lovely detail. 93/100
Caminho Jaen 2023 Dão, Portugal
Stainless steel. Juicy and crunchy with bright fruit but also some harmony. Fresh and pure with lovely fruit. Expressive. 93/100
Madame Pió Castelão 2022 Lisboa, Portugal
12.5% alcohol. Lovely red cherry fruit with nice crunch. Bright and expressive with some raspberry. Showing great focus and concentration. Serious. 94/100
Madame Pió Tinta Miuda 2021 Lisboa, Portugal
Slightly appley nose. Tannic and fresh and bright with bold cherry and raspberry fruit, Nice density, but there’s a hint of oxidative character here on the fringes. 90/100
