1980 Caves São João - Reserva Particular Tinto (92 pts)

1980 Caves São João - Reserva Particular Tinto (92 pts) #winereview @cavessaojoao @obrigadovinhos · ℹ️ This winery got its start making port in the 1920s, but Portuguese laws changed in the 1930s to restrict port production to only the Douro Valley. The company changed focus to dry and sparkling wine. Reserva Particular equates to Private Reserve. From a stockpile of wine that has been stored at the winery in perfect conditions and are being released onto the market with more current vintages. This wine is technically a Beiras Regional wine, but in reality it is a blend of 2 different DOs in Portugal. Historically 50:50 blend from Bairrada and Dao. Bairrada gives the wine acid and power. While Dao gives aromatics and elegance. Grapes used in this blend are 25% Baga, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen (Mencia), 20% Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo) and 5% Camarate. Fun Fact - I read that the label is made from cork· 👀 Deep garnet color with pale almost tawny rim· 👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of tobacco, leather, tree bark, stewed cherry, dried strawberry, salted meat, and prune· 👅 The wine is dry, medium acidity, medium largely resolved tannins that are fine like talcum powder, medium- alcohol, and medium body. Great texture on the wine from the very elegant and aged tannins. Palate is very tertiary and savory. A lot of cigar tobacco, leather, and prosciutto dominate. Dried cherry, strawberry, figs, and prunes. Maraschino cherry in a Manhattan jumps to mind here. The finish is long and ends with a salty and slight sourness that is really interesting· 🔔 I have tried a number of these wines and have been consistently wowwed time and time again. These things are ridiculous bargains if you like old wine or want a glimpse into the way wine was made in Portugal. This producer can only be explained by saying they are the R Lopez de Heredia of Portugal. Their white wines are aged and shocking as well· #portugal #beiras #bairrada #d ão #baga #mencia #alfrocheiro #tempranillo #wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #vinho #wein #winelover #winegeek #winetasting #wsetdiploma #winestagram #wineterroir #sommelier #wineoclock #cavessaojoao #lovewine #winetime #wineporn #instawine