During a recent tasting event, winemaker Pedro Ribeiro showcased a selection of wines from Herdade do Rocim and their associated wineries, an exciting experience ahead of the amphora wine day in 2025. Herdade do Rocim’s main estate is situated in Vidigueira, an area traditionally renowned for producing fresh white wines. The estate also has vineyards in the Douro, Dão, and Lisboa regions, with an overarching goal of cultivating freshness across all their vineyards.
Pedro emphasizes the importance of early picking, stating, "For many years phenolic ripeness was the aim for winemakers, but I’m not afraid of it. If we wait for phenolic ripeness, we lose everything else." The granite soils in Vidigueira are pivotal for achieving this freshness, as compared to the more commonly found clay-based soils in much of Alentejo. The region’s hills help capture cool winds, which further benefit the vineyards.
Here’s a summary of some notable wines tasted:
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Vale da Mata Branco 2024 (VR Lisboa, 12% ABV): This wine is a blend of Arinto, Vital, and Viosinho from a vineyard planted in the 1970s. It features bright, linear fruit with a salty finish. 93/100
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Olho de Mocho Branco 2024 (Vidigueira, 12% ABV): Made from a 75-year-old vineyard, this wine offers fresh, juicy flavors with pear and melon, alongside vibrant acidity and a mineral finish. 93/100
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Fresh From Amphora Branco NatCool 2024 (Vidigueira, 11% ABV): Utilizing Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha, and Manteúdo, this amphora-fermented wine is bright and stony with lovely citrus fruit and a salty touch. 93/100
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Herdade do Rocim O Estrangeiro Branco 2024 (Dão): This field blend, coming from a vineyard established in 1961, excels in depth and elegance with notes of pear, peach, and citrus, paired with refreshing tension. 94/100
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Herdade do Rocim Bela Luz Branco 2024 (Cima Corgo, Douro): Aged in 500-litre barrels, this wine displays lively citrus notes, paired with pear and apricot, maintaining a remarkable acidity. 94/100
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Bojador Talha Branco 2024 (Vidigueira, 11.5% ABV): A traditional vinho de talha produced under regulations requiring skin contact, this wine is bright and juicy with a mineral character. 93/100
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Fresh From Amphora Tinto NatCool 2024 (Vidigueira): Slightly tannic with notes of cranberry and wild strawberries, this light red is noted for its juicy energy and freshness. 94/100
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Herdade do Rocim O Estrangeiro Tinto 2023 (Dão, 13.5% ABV): A field blend of Baga, Alfrocheiro, and Touriga Nacional, this red offers fresh cherry and raspberry fruit with a stony complexity and energetic character. 95/100
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Bojador Talha Tinto 2024 (Vidigueira, 12% ABV): With a wild finish hinting at sourness, this red provides an interesting tasting experience despite its eccentric volatility. 92/100
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Herdade do Rocim Crónica #328 José Ribeiro Vieira 2022 (Vidigueira, 14% ABV): Named after a notable figure in the winery’s history, this complex wine is rich with layers of sweet black cherry and mineral character. 95/100
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Farol do Bojador 2021 (Vidigueira, 13.5% ABV): The standout of the Bojador project offers a balance of freshness and concentration, showcasing cherry and raspberry with notable structure. 95/100
This tasting of Herdade do Rocim showcases not only the impressive range of wines from the estate but also highlights Pedro Ribeiro’s commitment to freshness and quality in winemaking across various Portuguese regions. For more details, visit their website at rocim.pt.