Although this isn’t quite the stunning, profound 2001 or 1996, it’s still an utterly regal, poised, delicious mature wine from the master António Saramago, Portugal’s longest working oenologist. There’s the very pronounced Cabernet bell pepper, herbalness and spice mixed with the rich, dark fruit of the Aragonês, terrific structure, enveloping acidity and sweet, luscious, resolved tannins. It screams ‘class’ yet is hedonistic at the same time - unmistakably old world and old school.
When I saw this wine for 35€ (a 50% discount) in a Viana do Castelo wine shop online, I couldn’t believe my eyes: these old vintages of the Garrafeiras easily go up to around 100+, and in my opinion they’re totally worth it even at that price. A ridiculous steal; I regret only buying two bottles, especially since these old Coelheiros wines are disappearing fast from retailers (the latest Garrafeira Nacional discount campaign cleared out a bunch).
