WINE DESCRIPTION
Since 1989, Alvaro Castro, now with his daughter Maria, produces wines at an elevation of over 500 meters. Nestled amid pine forests, the vineyards offer sweeping mountain views. The granite-rich soil yields leaner, more nuanced wines compared to the Douro, with lower alcohol and sweetness but remarkable mineral richness. Alcohol levels range from 12.5 to 13 degrees, notably lower than the Douro. Many of the country's top winemakers speak highly of Alvaro Castro as Dao's genius, creating the best wines in the region and sometimes even in Portugal. The wines exude finesse and fruit quality akin to the upper echelons of the Rhone. Entry-level wines impress with polished, ample fruit, while white wines range from aromatic brilliance to evoking Chassagne-Montrachet. Alvaro and Maria Castro showcase the remarkable diversity of high-quality Portuguese wines.
NOTES FROM VINOVOSS SOMMELIER
Very concentrated on the nose.It also contains ancient Touriga Nacional, which is vinified separately in some years. In the mouth, there are notes of dark jam and toasty aromas, as well as plenty of red berries and cherries. It is highly complex and incredibly long. It reaches the same level of quality as the great red wines of the Douro (but like a slim, endlessly long Côte-Rôtie, as opposed to the heavier powerhouses from Châteauneuf). Thanks to the granite soils and cooler climate, it excels in finesse and delicacy, with a strong and extremely clean definition that always leads straight ahead. Extremely powerful red fruit and substantial pressure with silky yet intense tannins.
EXPERT RATING
4.5
DRINKING WINDOW
Now
2058
Profile
Sweetness:
Dry
Dry
Lusciously Sweet
Alcohol:
High
No/Low
Very High
Intensity:
Pronounced
Subtle
Powerful
Body:
Rich
Light Bodied
Full Bodied
Acidity:
Refreshing
Soft
Crisp
Tannin:
Firm
No Tannin
Grippy
GRAPES (3)
Jaen
Tinta Roriz
ORIGINS
Winery: Quinta da Pellada
Region: Dao
The Dao wine region is located in central Portugal, south of the Douro Valley. It is known for producing high-quality red wines made from indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Alfrocheiro. The region has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman times.CUSTOMER RATING
4.3
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