Ordered with friends at Fidalgo wine bar in the Bairro Alto, for a fantastic price that likely reveals how grossly underrated the wines from Beira Interior still are. The nose is gorgeous, more expressive than I recall in the 2019 vintage, with tobacco and dry earth in the foreground. Red berries, some oak spice and high toned vegetable complement the aromatic profile. It was tight on the first pour but opened rapidly in the glass; plenty of satiny volume with just the right nerve. It has long been my favorite wine from Quinta dos Termos, and one of my favorite all time values. I suppose one would consider it “classic” if it were something like a Bordeaux, yet as a contemporary Portuguese wine that points to balance and restraint it in is, ironically, modern.
Olá Tomás. This sounds like the wine for me. I am seeing the 2021 vintage at Portugal Vineyards for €17,47 and the reviews are very positive. I’d like to try the 2020 as well. Do you know where it can be found?
I found two online shops, Bons Bagos and Osha, that still seem to carry the 2020 vintage (the latter by the case of 3 or 6). I also found that Garrafeira Nacional carries the 2021 for 14,50€, a better price than the one you mentioned. I’m very curious to try the 2021, considering the vintage characteristics. Also, we need to get back together! Our last wine dinner was pretty memorable.
Thank you. Yes we should get together again soon. Cozy of course or perhaps Carlos has opened his new place?
Carlos told me things are delayed, but he would have news by the end of the month. I am now a (modest) Lisbon homeowner, though, so that’s another solution!