Website: https://www.cartuxa.pt/en/
Last week, while I was delivering a lecture at the university in Vila Real, I enjoyed a bottle of wine that holds a special place in my heart. Many years ago, I had my first encounter with this wine and I had an epiphany about the incredible potential of Portuguese wines!
Cartuxa Tinto Colheita 2020 Alentejo, Portugal
14.5% alcohol. This wine is a delightful blend featuring Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, among other varieties from the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation vineyards. The grapes are destemmed, crushed, and fermented in stainless steel before undergoing a year of aging in both tanks and barrels. The result is a vibrant and richly textured red wine from Alentejo, bursting with bold, spice-inflected blackberry and raspberry notes. It maintains a lovely structure with a touch of fresh acidity complementing the ripe fruit. This wine exudes elegance and intensity, featuring hints of tar and dried herbs amidst exquisitely balanced, not overripe fruit. There is significant potential for aging, despite the elevated alcohol content. 93/100