WINE & LIFESTYLE REPORT
Dona Maria Amantis Reserva 2006 VR Alentejo
Tasted December 2011
Grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (30%), Petit Verdot (30%) and Touriga Nacional (10%)
Appearance - clear and bright, medium intensity ruby colour
Nose - clean, medium plus intensity, youthful aromas. Fresh black fruits, black plum, fresh balsamic notes, pine needles, a slight smoky note.
Palate - dry, medium plus acidity and alcohol, silky tannins very well integrated, medium body. Flavours are intensely fruity, with lots of ripe black cherry, raspberries, some blackcurrant and a spicy undertone with notes of green bell pepper. Long length.
Conclusion (17/20) - very good quality, medium priced, (15€). A rich and charming character, intensely flavoured, juicy, but full of freshness, tremendous spicy finish with savoury notes. Excellent to drink right away, its in a lovely drinking period really, but will keep for at least 4 years. This wine shows the perfect quality/price ratio for me. You can get a glass of wine that is mellow and harmonious but not at all tedious, in fact its vivacious and has a spicy complexity.
This is one of my favourite producers in the Alentejo, in fact this house has been bottling some of the best wines in Portugal for some time, all full of character, not conceding to over maturation trends, being able to keep the generosity of the hot Alentejo weather seasoned with fresher balsamic and spicy notes. And there are some high-end wines for the ages like the Dona Maria Reserva 2006 and the massive Júlio B.Bastos 2004, this latter made 100% with Alicante Bouschet grapes (current vintages in the market).
Can't forget to mention their limited production of Rose, a paler dryer style that always keeps me company during the summer.
If this wasn't enough to seek out their wines, a perfect excuse to visit them is the beautiful and perfectly preserved 18th century estate where everything happens, check it out here.
Grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (30%), Petit Verdot (30%) and Touriga Nacional (10%)
Appearance - clear and bright, medium intensity ruby colour
Nose - clean, medium plus intensity, youthful aromas. Fresh black fruits, black plum, fresh balsamic notes, pine needles, a slight smoky note.
Palate - dry, medium plus acidity and alcohol, silky tannins very well integrated, medium body. Flavours are intensely fruity, with lots of ripe black cherry, raspberries, some blackcurrant and a spicy undertone with notes of green bell pepper. Long length.
Conclusion (17/20) - very good quality, medium priced, (15€). A rich and charming character, intensely flavoured, juicy, but full of freshness, tremendous spicy finish with savoury notes. Excellent to drink right away, its in a lovely drinking period really, but will keep for at least 4 years. This wine shows the perfect quality/price ratio for me. You can get a glass of wine that is mellow and harmonious but not at all tedious, in fact its vivacious and has a spicy complexity.
This is one of my favourite producers in the Alentejo, in fact this house has been bottling some of the best wines in Portugal for some time, all full of character, not conceding to over maturation trends, being able to keep the generosity of the hot Alentejo weather seasoned with fresher balsamic and spicy notes. And there are some high-end wines for the ages like the Dona Maria Reserva 2006 and the massive Júlio B.Bastos 2004, this latter made 100% with Alicante Bouschet grapes (current vintages in the market).
Can't forget to mention their limited production of Rose, a paler dryer style that always keeps me company during the summer.
If this wasn't enough to seek out their wines, a perfect excuse to visit them is the beautiful and perfectly preserved 18th century estate where everything happens, check it out here.
