Cao tinto, Sousn, Brancellao

[Saina Nieminen]

Full disclosure: I might be somehow financially involved in these but I am not sure (in fact I'm not even sure if these are imported here).

I enjoyed two fun wines from Valmior from O Rosal in Ras Baixas tonight. A Rosado 2008 from Sousn and Brancellao (never heard of these grapes before! how fun!) which was so red it frightened me. It seemed quite lovely, however, peppery and light on its feet - not something I expected from such a deep ros. Crisp, clean and frightfully moreish.

The Tinto 2008, from Cao tinto, Sousn and Brancellao was also hugely interesting though sadly in a slightly inexpressive state. A little too lactic and reductive aromatically but it did have wonderful wild berry aromas and deep tannins and acidity. Crunchy wine. The only other red like this that I have had was a Langmann Blauer Wildbacher.

An enjoyable acquaintance for sure.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

originally posted by Otto Nieminen:
I enjoyed two fun wines from Valmior...

A Elbereth gilthoniel...

What's the ALT-key sequence for Tengwar?

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

The Sousn must be the same Souzo that I tasted in Portugal two weeks ago and that I had also never heard of. Liked it very much, and on the lighter and aromatic side.

 

[Ignacio Villalgordo]

Try Forja de Salnes wines: caio, loureiro and espadeiro

 

[Thor]

oWhat's the ALT-key sequence for Tengwar?

Clicky.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

 

[VS]

These Galician-Portuguese grape varieties from northwestern Iberia are finally getting some attention in Ras Baixas and Ribeiro, as well as in Vinho Verde country across the border. Climate change might be helping them. As Ignacio mentions, it's the Forjas del Salns wines (good in 2007, remarkable in 2008), made by the ubiquitous Ral Prez, that are the best right now. The 2007 Espadeiro was one of our 15 'wines of the year' for 2009 at elmundovino, and the 2008 cao tinto we tasted last Monday was even better. Zippy, 'sauvage', easy to drink wines - a Loire valley extension to the southwest.