The wines of Valle Pradinhos, Trás-os-Montes, Portugal

From the rather remote country north of the Douro, this is an estate that was initially established in 1913 as a family retreat, and where vines were only later planted. It’s currently run by Maria Antónia Mascarenhas, and the winemaking is in the dependable hands of Rui Cunha, who also makes the wines at Covela.

There’s something a bit wild and edgy about these wines – I guess they reflect the wildness of the country they come from. Worth seeking out.

Valle Pradinhos Branco 2007 Trás-os-Montes
A blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Malvasia Fina. Aromatic and full with a lovely broad, nicely fruited palate. Fresh and fruity with a crisp finish. 89/100

Valle Pradinhos Rosé 2007 Trás-os-Montes
Brightly fruited nose with strawberries and cherries. The palate is open and fruity with cherries and berries, and lovely crispness. This is delicious. 89/100

Porta Velha Tinto 2006 Trás-os-Montes
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh berry and cherry fruit nose. The palate is berryish, bright and spicy with a nice savoury, grippy, slightly tarry edge. Deliciously bright and savoury. 87/100

Valle Pradinhos Tinto 2005 Trás-os-Montes
Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tinta Amarela are the grapes here. Bright, aromatic sweet berry, cherry and plum fruit on the nose. The palate is savoury and spicy with well defined, fresh fruit and a hint of oak. Supple and digestible. 89/100

Valle Pradinhos Reserva 2005 Trás-os-Montes
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. Sweet ripe nose of brooding blackcurrant and sweet plum fruit with some gravelly, tarry notes in the background. The palate is savoury and sweet at the same time, with nice savoury definition to the dark fruits, as well as a touch of oak. With its tight structure, this could have a long future ahead of it. 92/100

UK agent: Raymond Reynolds

Wines tasted 11/08  

Earlier note:

Valle Pradinhos Tinto 2003 Tras-os-Montes, Portugal
Beautifully packaged in a Burgundy-shaped bottle and with an elegantly simple label, this is a lovely gutsy red that reminds me of the best wines of southwest France. It has a bright, savoury spicy nose with dark fruits and a hint of tar. There's a gravelly minerality to the palate, which has tight dark fruits with a spicy kick, and plenty of tannins. The result is very refreshing, drinkable and utterly food friendly. There's even a hint of elegance here - it isn't overly rustic. I like it a lot. Very good/excellent 90/100 (11/06)

Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
See also: My Blog posts on Portuguese wine 

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