2023 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvahrinho & Pinot Noir Portugal

2023 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvahrinho & Pinot Noir Portugal

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPortugalRosé

Soalheiro

Mineral Rosé
Alvarinho & Pinot Noir
Portugal, 2023

2023 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvahrinho & Pinot Noir Portugal

Soalheiro’s 2023 Mineral Rosé flows like poetry from Portugal’s northernmost vineyards, a vibrant expression of precision and grace. Rooted in the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço, these vines thrive in a microclimate where gentle rains, abundant sunlight, and pronounced daily temperature shifts converge to shape grapes of remarkable purity and bright acidity.

Crafted from 70% Alvarinho and 30% Pinot Noir, the 2023 Mineral Rosé echoes the elegance of Provençal rosés while remaining distinctly Portuguese in character. Each variety ferments separately before blending seamlessly in this thoughtfully composed wine, which matures on fine lees for six months in stainless steel, lending subtle complexity and a refined texture.

In the glass, this rosé reveals itself as both ethereal and compelling. Its bright, vivacious palate dances effortlessly, presenting a captivating portrait of its origins and an irresistible invitation to savor the sublime.

Soalheiro
Mineral Rosé
Alvarinho & Pinot Noir
Portugal, 2023

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“The Soalheiro 2023 Rosé of Alvarinho and Pinot Noir from the Minho region in Portugal delivers a vivacious character with notes of lime zest, pink grapefruit, peach, nectarine, white strawberries, and a presence of wet stone minerality and marine salinity with a cool, coastal freshness. On the palate, the wine has flavors of fresh raspberries and tropical touches of melon and mango, and finishes refreshingly crisp and light, making each sip even more enjoyable than the last. Though this wine is an excellent choice during summer, it has a delectable thirst-quenching quality that lends itself to any occasion, any time of the year.”

95 Points

2015 Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Douro

2015 Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Douro, Portugal

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPortugalProprietary Red

QUINTA DO VALLADO

2015 RESERVA 
DOURO, PORTUGAL 

2015 Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Douro
If I were to choose just one International wine that I’ve discovered in my career that perfectly represents everything great in a wine, Quinta Do Vallado is it.  And while the texture, flavors and depth are ridiculously irresistible, what I love most about this wine is that it’s incredibly unique and yet it appeals to nearly everyone who tries it. One taste offers a lasting impression of deep red and black fruits, wild complexity and a long and persistent, satiny finish. Portugal’s dry wines are simply making a lot of dedicated, die-hard enthusiasts, and this bottle will push them over th e top.  In fact, on the 2014 Wine Spectator Top 100 list, wines #1, #3 & #4 were all from the Douro region of Portugal, and to me, I’ve tried them all and this one is even better.
 
A fusion of more than 30 grape varietals, Vallado’s 2013 Reserva asserts a crescendo of tightly wound, brilliantly focused fruit, and is more vibrant than a Nadir Afonso painting.  Utilizing fruit from ancient vines more than 100 years old, Quinta do Vallado’s 2015 Reserva has already earned 93 Points from Robert Parker.  Very few cases of the Reserva were imported this year, and having already earned a high score, this one certainly won’t be available for very long. 
 
QUINTA DO VALLADO
2015 RESERVA 
DOURO, PORTUGAL
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl
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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Reserva is a field blend of very old vines (100+ years old), aged for 18 months in an equal blend of new and used barrels. It comes in at 14% alcohol. This was previously seen as a tank sample. Here’s the bottled version in the USA. Reasonably concentrated for the producer’s subregion and the vintage, this actually has fleshed out since I last saw it. Yet it retains that graceful, textured feel, the freshness and the fine fruit. I suspect the wine will show even more elegance as it continues to age… This is going to be a hard-to-resist wine when it hits the table at dinner.” 93 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Quinto Do Vallado’s Reserva may also enjoy these two terrific wines…
2013 Enzo Bianchi Proprietary Red
 2012 Vik Milla Cala Proprietary Red
ENZO BIANCHI 
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl 

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From The Wine Enthusiast: “This Cabernet-Malbec-Petit Verdot blend smells smoky and rich, with lemony oak notes. But in the mouth, it’s tight as a drum, with an unbreakable structure. Dark spice and clove notes accent ripe berry fruit that’s not jammy and which has absorbed its oak well. Its firm, tannic finish will stand guard as it ages for a decade or more…”  93 Points, Editor’s Choice
VIK
2012 MILLA CALA
PROPRIETARY RED
MILLAHUE VALLEY, CHILE
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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From The Wine Spectator: “Rich and refined, delivering unctuous dark fruit and spice flavors that offer a creamy svelteness. Slate and mineral accents linger on the complex finish, with dark chocolate and olive notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot. Drink now through 2022…”  94 Points