2019 DAO TINTO

TRY ME IF YOU LOVE: Syrah

ABV: 13.0%

GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro

TASTING NOTES: Beautifully vibrant, bright and juicy red wine. The nose develops intense and fine aromas of ripe red fruits, spices (pepper), toast, whilst at the same time some elegant floral notes. The palate is round and soft, packed full of soft bramble fruits, black cherry and wild strawberry with hints of rosemary and pine wood.

PAIRS WITH: Great with cured meat or a BBQ

SERVE ME: Room temperature

Alvaro de Castro, a self-trained winemaker, is a pioneer of quality estate wine growing and leading light in the Dão region of Portugal. Inheriting vineyards in 1980, today he owns three estates in the Dão’s Serra da Estrela sub-region - Quintas de Saes, Pellada and Outeiro. Castro was joined by his daughter Maria Castro in 2000, who now oversees winemaking and the vineyards, which have been cultivated without chemicals for years. Totalling around 60ha, the vines are aged between 3 and 65 years and sit at an average altitude of 550m. The traditional grape varieties – Encruzado, Cercial, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Baga - are planted on granite soil with sand, clay and quartz. Terroir-driven, very pure, even Castro’s entry level wines brim with character.