quinta dos vales – algarve wine tasting notes
2009 Marquês dos Vales Primeira Selecção Branco
Vinho Regional Algarve
This white wine is made from red Castelâo grapes, by separting the juice from the skins after pressing, to keep the juice white. The fermentation is done in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks during six months. The colour is very pale nearly colorless. In the nose the wine shows defined notes of tropical fruit that remind of chewing gum. On the palate the white wine is able to convince with aromas of pineapple, moderate and harmoniously integrated acidity and therefore round mouth feeling. A pleasant “easy drinking” wine, that may go with fine starters. Tasted on 05.05.2010, rating **
2009 Marquês dos Vales Grace Vineyard Branco
Vinho Regional Algarve
This white wine is made from the best selected Arinto, Malvasia Fina and Siria grapes of the winery. It is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and afterwards matured in french oak Barriques for four months. Light golden is the colour, not to intensive. Even more intense is the nose of the Grace Branco 2009 with aromas of peach, lychee, tropical fruits, hints of hazelnut and toast. It is not a superficial nose like a overseas wine, but deep complex and defined. On the palate the wine offers the same aromas as in the nose with good volume, not to massive, balanced acidity and the perfect dose of wood contributing a long finish with hints of vanilla. This is big wine cinema. It comes from an origin of which we think that it is not a whitewine territory – but sorry it is close to perfection! Algarve can offer delicate whites. Solo, or with grilled shell fish or poultry. Tasted on 06.05.2010, rating: *****
2009 Marquês dos Vales Primeira Selecção Rosé
Vinho Regional Algarve
This rosé is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for six months. The used grape variety is Castelão. Shining rosé in the glass invites for the first sip. Elegant nose of cassis and strawberries. Fruity on the palate with intensive structure and with the respectable length of a powerful rosado. Perfect with a half warm octopus salad or grilled chicken, refreshing on the terrace. Tasted on 02.05.2010, rating: ***
2007 Marquês dos Vales Segunda Edição Tinto
Vinho Regional Algarve
This red wine is made from Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet grapes matured in steel tanks, the third grape Castelão is matured in barrels of French oak for 18 months. The separate vinification of the single grapes is a modern method for high class wines, it makes it possible to manage the taste of the cuvee exactly when combining the single wines before the filling. Light ruby-red with violet and some brown reflexes. Fresh opened the wine is presenting a vivid nose of Amarena-cherry spices and lovage, not very persistent. On the palate the wine offers fine tannins with aromas of cherry followed by caramel, some chocolate and some toast, round and harmonic. It is a wine that goes good with a dish grilled meat or fish to be enjoyed within the first three to five years. 2009 this wine won the gold medal at the Concours Mondial at Bruxelles. 8,95€ at the winery is a fair price. Tasted on 22.04.2010, rating: ***
2008 Marquês dos Vales Grace Touriga Nacional Tinto
Vinho Regional Algarve
This wine is made from 100% Touriga Nacional red grapes. After the fermentation in stainless steel tanks it was matured for almost 12 month in french Barriques. Quite compact ruby with purple reflexes. Without decanting the wine is very closed. Only after some hours of air it begins to develop a soft perfume of dark fruits. The structure reminds of a traditional Bordeaux with solid tannins and robust acidity. Good to go with a spicy meat dish – roast kid algarve. Tasted on 02.05.2010, rating: **
2007 Marquês dos Vales Grace Vineyard Tinto
Vinho Regional Algarve
This red wine is made from Cabernet, Aragonez and Castelâo. It was matured in oak barrels for nearly two years and kept in the bottle for six further months before selling. The colour is deep purple. In the nose the wine shows elegance with very fine aromas of dark fruits and superficial toast. On the palate it is smooth, not to voluminous. For a wine gourmet there is a lack of complexity and depth, but it is a good wine for easy drinking or to go with roast meat. Tasted on 07.05.2010, rating **