Flor Penalva Tinto Reserva 2023

Flor Penalva Tinto Reserva comes from the Dao region of Portugal, which has undergone something of a renaissance in the past 10 years. This appealing, medium-bodied Dao red wine is an excellent example, with aromas of juicy blackberry and cherry fruits and notes of vanilla and toast. It has a winning combination of lightness combined with plenty of savoury, full flavours. Blackberries and cherries predominate in this attractive, smooth, elegant wine with light tannins and very good length. Flor Penalva Tinto Reserva has definitely a become a favourite in our portfolio.

How the wine is made

It is made from a blend of four indigenous grape varieties (25% of each) Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel vats and the wine is aged for 6 months in oak barrels.

Touriga Nacional provides concentrated black fruits, Jaen is the same grape as Spain’s Mencía bringing high quality, distinctively cherry fruit dimension, together with elegance, Alfrocheiro provides deep coloured fruitiness and Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo in Spain) a sappy freshness.

About the Producer

Adega de Penalva do Castelo is a large Cooperativa revived by the Bio family. Ana and Manuel Bio have invested in a modern winery and  superb winemaking facilities. They have a strong technical team who advise grape growers throughout the year to ensure consistent, high quality grapes arrive at the winery.  Although a larger producer than we normally include in our portfolio, we are impressed with the quality of grapes and wines achieved by this Cooperativa. The Serra de Estrela and location of the vineyards at 500 metres creates a beneficial climate for the production of quality wines.

About the Region

The Dao region, in the central northern area of Portugal, South of the Douro, is one of the oldest regions in the country. It is a mountainous, rugged area which takes its name from the Dao River, and is known for fresh wines with powerful fruit and elegant structure. The vines providing the grapes for this wine are planted in very poor granite soils.  The climate is relatively temperate with cold, rainy winters and dry, warm summers. The Dao region is surrounded on all sides by mountains which protect the vines from the prevailing Atlantic winds and create a generous micro climate. Like most Portuguese red wines with oak ageing, this wine has a cork closure.

Sells in Independent Wine Merchants for £13.99 – £14.99 check out our great price

Food match: A versatile wine which will be perfect with BBQs, Roast meats especially Lamb and Pork, cured meats and tomato based vegetarian dishes.