Portugal
The wines of Portugal are renowned for their unique and diverse characteristics, with a rich history of winemaking that dates back centuries. This Southern European country produces a range of different wines, from crisp whites to full-bodied reds, each with its own distinct style and flavor profile.
One of the most famous Portuguese wines is Port wine, a fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley region. Port is known for its sweet, rich flavor and is often served as a dessert wine. Another popular Portuguese wine is Vinho Verde (green wine), a refreshing, light-bodied wine that is perfect for warm weather.
In addition to these famous wines, Portugal also produces a range of high-quality table wines, including both red and white varietals. Some of the most popular grape varieties grown in Portugal include Touriga Nacional, Alvarinho, and Aragonez.
Portuguese winemakers are known for their use of traditional winemaking techniques, including ageing wines in oak barrels and using indigenous grape varieties. This approach results in wines with unique flavors and aromas that are distinctive to the region.
In recent years, the wines of Portugal have gained increasing recognition and popularity among wine enthusiasts worldwide. With its diverse range of wines and unique winemaking techniques, Portugal is a must-visit destination for wine lovers and a region worth exploring.
The wines of Portugal offer a unique and diverse range of flavors and styles, from the sweet and rich Port wine to the refreshing Vinho Verde. With its use of traditional winemaking techniques and indigenous grape varieties, Portuguese wine is a must-try for wine enthusiasts.
Portugal
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Madeira | 3 | 18 (JR) | HK$3,950.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (18)A carpenter’s workshop, filled with the scent of freshly sawn and planed wood. Sweet tobacco. A distinctly feral, ‘animal’ smell. Dried meadow flowers and hay. Dried orange-peel dust. Something almost lactic. It changes from sip to sip, moment to moment. First dry, then sweet. Bitter, for a second, then turning tender. Jagged edges melt silky smooth from along the slim ribbon of its structure. Demanding and volatile; then tucking charms into your palm. The intensity of the flavours – explosive bitter-sweet oranges, hit-gingered quince, cinnamon and cumin, sour cherries in Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, decayed-wood dust – is startling, and yet the wine is fine-boned, almost ethereal. William Chester Minor, surgeon, wordsmith, schizophrenic and one of the greatest contributors to the Oxford English Dictionary, was attributed the quote, ‘Listen to the leaves scratch the air. Sometimes it sounds like gunfire. Sometimes like applause.’ I thought of those words when I tasted this wine. Food pairings: spanakopita; cauliflower pakora with spiced onion chutney; welsh rarebit; fried grouse with orange sauce. |
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Porto | 3 | 98 | HK$16,575.00 | |||||
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Madeira | 2 | - | HK$16,285.00 | |||||
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Porto | 1 | - | HK$11,680.00 | |||||
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Porto | 1 | - | HK$4,500.00 | |||||
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Porto | 1 | 94 (WS) | HK$2,350.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (94)This is an extremely full-bodied, powerful wine, but it still retains a classy balance. Deep ruby, with chocolate and berry aromas, full-bodied, with anise and dried cherry flavors, full, hard tannins and a long finish. Good now but a few more yearsof bottle age would improve it. Best from 1990 through 1993. -JS |
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Madeira | 1 | 19.5 (JR) | HK$32,000.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (19.5)This and three other wines are still available on the island, but only released by John Cossart sparingly and at a very high price. They originate from the 1820s, held first in wood, then demi-johns and the remnant finally bottled off between the 1920s and the 1960s. A famous wine. Tawny, rose colour, very pale rim. Light marine, very Atlantic nose. Wonderfully soft, fragrant swish over the palate. Then great grip. Grand and old indeed! Pretty cheesy on the end but this is surely the island in a bottle. So clean and tasty. Ocean spray. Lone yachtsmen would love this! |
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Porto | 3 | 94 (VN) | HK$4,280.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)Deep saturated ruby. Supersweet but vibrant aromas of crystallized dark berries, flowers, licorice and bitter chocolate. Very dense and medium-sweet, with superb concentration of flavor and lovely pliancy. Captivating hint of cocoa powder. Finishes with big but thoroughly ripe tannins and an explosive whiplash of flavor. |
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Porto | 1 | 99 (WA) | HK$44,580.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)Amazingly, the importer still has tiny stocks of such legendary ports as the 1970, 1963, and 1962 Nacionals. In most vintages the production of Quinta do Noval Nacional is no more than 250-275 cases. The 1970,1963,1962 and 1994 are candidates to achieve perfect scores. The 1963 Nacional's opaque purple color is remarkable, looking more like a 1992 than a 33-year old port. The wine possessed a fabulously smoky, cassis, black-cherry, peppery nose. After thirty minutes in the glass, fruitcake notes and more evolved aromas emerged. This port is so concentrated it defies belief, with extraordinary balance, and, like its two siblings, well-integrated alcohol and tannin. The impression is one of a silky, succulent, voluptuously-textured mouthful of exceptionally extracted port. This is a legend in the making. In 30-40 years it may well be considered, along with the 1931, as one of the greatest ports ever produced. Those lucky few with a bottle or two should plan to hold onto them for another decade before pulling the cork. It, too, is a hundred-year port. |
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Porto | 1 | - | HK$6,815.00 | |||||
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Porto | 2 | - | HK$7,420.00 | |||||
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Porto | 2 | - | HK$7,530.00 | |||||
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Porto | 1 | 95+ (VN) | HK$10,035.00 | |||||
Vinous (95+)Bright medium ruby. Utterly primary aromas of black cherry, licorice and violet are lifted by an impression of almost peppery acidity. Sharply delineated and extremely pure; less thick today than the young 2003 but then this is an infant and superbly balanced for decades of evolution in bottle. Finishes with a high pitch, the tannins spreading out to coat the teeth and the dark fruit flavors reverberating. Far from the richest vintage of the vertical tasting, but this beauty can safely be lost in your cellar for a couple decades. A splendid achievement in the context of the vintage. |
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Porto | 2 | 99 (WS) | HK$6,265.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (99)This sports serious heft, with a core of brooding fig jam, ganache, Christmas pudding and pastis-soaked black currant notes, followed by a powerhouse finish of smoldering charcoal and tar. The feel is remarkably velvety and rounded overall, with a mouthwatering licorice root element adding to the already considerable length. Best from 2026 through 2056. |
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Porto | 1 | 97 (WA) | HK$7,350.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97)The 2004 Vintage Port Nacional is a declared Vintage Port aged for 18 months in wooden casks. An old vines field blend, it comes in at just 79 grams per liter of residual sugar, rather dry on paper and in perception. Typically graceful and leaning on elegance in the mid-palate, it is laced with some herbs and rhubarb up front. It is very aromatic and it opens with a distinctive flavor profile compared to others in the Vintage Port lineup that I had open. In the mid-palate, it seems like a very fine table wine in some ways, showing remarkable finesse and focus, and a rather dry finish. It is completely closed and gives little. The structure and the underlying concentration are all obvious, though. They are classic and they make this a cellar candidate from the get-go. Despite being over a decade old, this is tight, firm, powerful and too young. After playing around with it for several days, I saw it finally begin to blossom, to show fresh fruit and something besides austerity. By the end of the week, it was far more evolved, showing its wonderful concentration, increasingly interesting intensity of flavor and a long finish. It is never obvious, but it is always quite gorgeous. This is an old school Port on an old school schedule. It needs cellaring. If extended aeration makes it at least a bit approachable, it is not exactly showing all it has and all it can be. Be patient--even if it is more approachable in a decade or so, that won't be even close to its peak. If you're patient and young, give it a try around 2040. |
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Porto | 1 | 100 (WA) | HK$8,960.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)The 2017 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in at 99 grams of residual sugar and was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in wooden vats. In 2016, I might've made an argument that the regular Noval was better. In this vintage, this seems to be a clear choice, granting that Ports change constantly in their youth. Its siblings at all levels in the last few vintages are very fine, but this is an indisputable benchmark that seems to better them all. Rich and vibrant, this has plenty of stuffing and flavor, more than the regular Noval. Then, it adds layer after layer of power. A couple of hours of air makes both the flavors and tannins more intense. It is simply gripping—yet also remarkably fresh. It's a great Noval, and one of the shortlist candidates for Wine of the Vintage. There were 200 cases produced. |
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Porto | 1 | 98 (VN) | HK$9,285.00 | |||||
Vinous (98)Last but certainly not least, the 2019 Quinta do Noval Naçional Vintage Port comes from Noval’s un-grafted vines and undergoes essentially the same maturation as the regular Noval. It is more backward on the nose compared to the Noval, demands time to open, before eventually revealing black cherries, tar, tobacco and clove. A touch of smoke and eucalyptus make an appearance with time. The palate is absolutely sublime with a perfectly judged line of acidity; a Naçional that is full of tension and energy, finely chiselled tannins and an enthralling crescendo towards the spicy and peppery finish. This is quite profound. |
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Porto | 2 | - | HK$13,025.00 | |||||
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Porto | 1 | 99 (MS) | HK$24,620.00 | |||||
Mark Squires (99)This old wine was acquired by Quinta do Vallado and said to be an 1866 Colheita (although Francisco Spratley Ferreira of the winery tells me he can't honestly say for sure if it is a true single-vintage Colheita, which is why it is marketed just as "Tributa"), pre-phylloxera vines. It was bottled for Antonia Adelaide Ferreira's 200th anniversary--a woman who built a lot of Douro and was the ancestor of Vallado's owners. Francisco told me (with some typos corrected) that "we think it is a true colheita, but it's impossible to be sure... We bought this wine and the owner said to me that [he] never touched ... this wine last 50 years! We believe that with this concentration and baume (13,5), this is really very old and wasn't "refrescado" (add young wines to fill the barrel).... At same time it' s amazing the acidity, especially thinking in this baume! The wine only was bottled last weeks!" I've run into my share of really old Ports recently--1863 Niepoort, Sequeira, the NV Wine and Soul "5G"--all were exceptional and all were very different. This would be my winner of that group. If you are really loaded, keep reading. Very dark in color and far thicker than the 5g (although not, perhaps, as vibrant), this is remarkably thick and viscous--there seems to be no question that it is old and concentrated. It is very complex, too. Laced with molasses and dark chocolate, and a touch of charcoal, it is enlivened by a big hit of acidity. The texture is quite caressing and sexy. Its age shows mostly in its thick demeanor. It reminds me of some century old Moscatels I've had in Southern Portugal. It is remarkably sweet and fresh in most other respects. It is a wonderful experience. There is bad news. You could predict this, huh? There were 1,300 bottles produced--and they are coming in special decanters running around $3,000 per 750ml bottle. (No, I didn't get one of those bottles, but I did get a sample taste!) |
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Porto | 1 | - | HK$760.00 | |||||
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Outstanding in its richness and complexity, the Ramos Pinto Ruby NV is a quality port crafted in Portugal's Douro Valley. Produced by the renowned Ramos Pinto, a family-owned winery celebrated for their dedication to innovation and quality since 1880, this vivid cherry-red port embodies prestige. Aged for three years in large wooden casks to retain its vibrant fruitiness, this blend of various native grapes bestows the wine with richness and depth. On the palate, it reveals intense berry flavours juxtaposed with notes of ripe plums, concluding with a touch of spice in the finish. Bright, robust, and balanced, the Ramos Pinto Ruby NV leaves a lasting impression. Perfect for those seeking an accessible but sophisticated vintage, this tipple deftly marries tradition with refinement. A radiant reflection of its heritage, this wine showcases the power and grace of the Ramos Pinto estate's viticultural prowess. |
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Porto | 4 | - | HK$100,190.00 | |||||
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Indulge in the sublime elegance of Ramos Pinto, Vinces Very Old Tawny Port NV. Produced in Portugal's renowned Douro Valley region, this exquisite port is known for its nuanced complexities. A masterful blend creates a robust spectrum of flavours that evolves on your palate. Notes of dried fruits, toasted almonds, and spice intermingle to reveal an undercurrent of creamy caramel. Founded in 1880 by Adriano Ramos Pinto, this winery's products reflect an irreplicable terroir. The Vinces Very Old Tawny Port NV is an embodiment of timeless sophistication; matured for an undisclosed period in oak casks, the wine acquires its characteristic tawny hue and unrivalled depth of taste. The discerning drinker will appreciate its exceptional balance and luxurious finish. Offering elegance and complexity in a glass, the Ramos Pinto, Vinces Very Old Tawny Port NV is truly an exploration of traditional viniculture refined to a fine art. |
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Porto | 1 | 96 (VN) | HK$4,760.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)The 1963 Taylor's Vintage Port is lucid in colour, very well defined with wild strawberry, Clementine, leather and tobacco scents, one of the few to contain a floral element. The palate has a cashmere texture with wild strawberry, cherry and a touch of liquorice, leading to a dense and structured finish. Over several bottles encountered, the palate always seems to offer more than the aromatics. Tasted in the Factory House in Porto for Taylor's - The Story of a Classic Port House book. |
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Porto | 3 | 97 (VN) | HK$2,915.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)The 1966 Taylor's Vintage Port is a hugely overlooked Port. The bouquet is typical 1966 and oddly mirrors a Left Bank Bordeaux: conservative and masculine, yet detailed and offering attractive scents of cigar box, mahogany bureau, sandalwood and ripe cherry. The palate is foursquare with wonderful structure, spicier and more vigorous than the 1963 with greater persistence and focus. There is a wonderful bead of acidity and it feels virile and fresh on the finish that has beguiling symmetry. Later it reveals wild strawberry, cigar box, apricot and autumn leaves with superb precision. Surely the best Port of the vintage! Tasted in the Factory House in Porto for Taylor's - The Story of a Classic Port House book. Bottled 2015. |
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Porto | 5 | - | HK$5,285.00 | |||||
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With its inimitable style, Taylor's Coronation Very Very Old Tawny Port NV remains a shining jewel in the crown of Portugal's Douro Valley. This exclusive tawny port, crafted by revered wine producers Taylor Fladgate, reflects over three centuries of winemaking prowess. Each bottle is a distinguished blend of wines, some over a century old, offering tremendous depth and complexity. Meticulously aged in seasoned oak casks, it combines rich flavours of dried fruit, honey, and spice with a lingering finish of nuts and cocoa. Its beguilingly mellow and smooth texture is a testament to its extended maturation process, showcasing Taylor's mastery over tawny ports. In the glass, it displays an enticing amber hue, sheer decadence served neat or over ice. Taylor's Coronation Very Very Old Tawny Port NV is not merely a wine, but a sensory journey deep into the heart of the Douro Valley's vinicultural heritage. |
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Porto | 8 | - | HK$3,570.00 | |||||
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Porto | 2 | - | HK$5,905.00 | |||||
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Porto | 3 | - | HK$21,280.00 | |||||
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Porto | 1 | 98 (VN) | HK$26,085.00 | |||||
Vinous (98)It has a greenish, tawny rim, quite deep at its mahogany core more than you would expect for a Port of this age. The nose is quite arresting, does not hang about, delivering a cornucopia of aromas: grilled walnuts, espresso, smoke, antique bureau and dried fig, all extremely well defined. Monitoring this over three or four hours, it gains intensity, hints of liquorice and menthol joining the chorus line, just the right amount of volatility. The palate is medium-bodied, slightly viscous on the entry, very spicy with sweet honey and brown sugar notes, completely offset by the combination of natural and volatile acids. Despite its age, this is a fiery Port with extraordinary lingering notes of Japanese shiso leaf, fig jam, damson and stem ginger, clean and poised with that volatility kicking towards the finish. This has wonderful sweetness, with 218g/L residual sugar that counters any oxidation. At around £4,000 per bottle, it is not inexpensive. But you are paying to drink history, knowing that it will never be released again. Of course, this 1896 is ready to be drunk now, but such is its concentration and vigour, that it could be cellared if you insist on your fortified wine being at least 125 years old. |
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