Behind the Cork™ - Lisboa Bonita Red Blend

Lisboa Bonita Red Blend ($19)

Casa Santos Lima is a multi-generational, family-owned winery that stands as one of Portugal's most prolific and highly decorated wine producers. Based at its primary estate, Quinta da Boavista in Alenquer (just north of Lisbon), it has evolved from a historic family trade into a global powerhouse.

The winery was established in the late 19th century by Joaquim Santos Lima, who was already a prominent producer and exporter of Portuguese wine to the UK and Brazil.

In 1990, his great-grandson, José Luís Santos Lima Oliveira da Silva, left a successful career in banking and finance to take over the family estate.

This Lisboa Bonita red blend is produced from Castelão (25%), Caladoc (25%), Tinta Roriz (20%), Alicante Bouschet (15%), and Touriga Franca (15%) grapes. It is a beautiful deep purple color with nice dark fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has lots of dark fruit flavors such as plum, blackberry, and blueberry, while the oak aging infuses notes of chocolate and vanilla. The tannins are bold and benefit from an hour in a decanter. 

This Lisboa Bonita red blend is a tasty one from Portugal. And, at this price, it’s a great value too, which makes it this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva

2020 Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva ($8.66)

This wine is from Tejo, a historic wine region in central Portugal, inland from Lisbon, and known for its diverse terroirs shaped by the Tejo River, which divides it into the Bairro, Campo, and Charneca zones. The region, formerly known as Ribatejo, produces affordable high-quality red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines from both indigenous Portuguese grapes and international varieties.

Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva is produced from three grape varieties (hence the name, 3 Castas) including 34% Touriga National, 33% Alicante Bouschet and 33% Sousão (aka Vinhao). It was partially aged in French oak.

This wine is medium purple in color with very delicate aromas of blackberries and plum with hints of spice. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has flavors of black fruit and candied cherry (from the Alicante Bouschet) along with blueberry (from the Touriga Nacional) and medium-high acidity from the Sousão. It finishes smooth and fruity with just a hint of sweetness.

This Fiuza 3 Costas Reserva is a very nice wine at a great price, making it a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Esporao Monte Velho Reserva

2022 Esporão Monte Velho Reserva ($18)

A new Reserva Red wine has been added to the popular Monte Velho (pronounced MON-tay VELL-yo and meaning “Old Hill” in Portuguese) wine line. The Monte Velho name is inspired by a grassy mound on the Herdade do Esporão estate, which is topped by a prominent 12th-century fortress.

Says Cultivamos (Importer of Esporão) president & CEO, Ben Carson-Brown, “The reason for this new addition to Esporão’s Monte Velho range is simple: Monte Velho wines are made intentionally for daily consumption, especially in Portugal where wine is a traditional component of the evening meal.

Monte Velho Reserva Red 2022 showcases Alentejo’s 2,000-plus year viticultural history, with its tradition of blending.

This Monte Velho Reserva is a blend of four grape varieties: Aragonez (also known as Alicante Bouschet), Trincadeira, Syrah, and Touriga Nacional, each comprising 25% of the total. The grapes underwent de-stemming and crushing, followed by controlled fermentation. Subsequently, malolactic conversion was initiated, and the wine was aged in used oak barrels for eight months.

Monte Vehlo Reserva is deep purple in color with bright aromas of dark fruit and herbal notes. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has flavors of blackberry, blue berry and raspberry with herbal, peppery, notes. It finishes easy with spicy notes. (Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L, pH: 3.61, Residual Sugar: 1.0 g/L)

This Monte Velho Reserva from Esporão is not only delicious but also affordable, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.

Media Sample Provided by Esporão

Behind the Cork™ - Esporao Bico Amarelo

2021 Bico Amarelo ($12)

Herdade do Esporão is part of the Alentejo’s montado ecosystem (cork oak forests), in Portugal. With approximately 700 hectares of vineyards and around 40 grape varieties, they grow using organic methods and integrated production.

Quinta do Ameal, in the region of Vinho Verde, is a historic property cradled in the Lima sub-region that has been registered since 1710.

The main grape varieties used to produce this wine are Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso which are all common to the Vinho Verde region.

It was fermented at a controlled temperature (10-15ºC) for 12 to 15 days then aged in contact with the lees for about 4 to 6 months in stainless steel vats.

This Bico Amarelo is medium gold in color with some subtle green tones. It has delicate aromas of citrus and floral notes. On the palate it is dry (1.5 g/l RS) and light-bodied with flavors of citrus and nectarine and finishes with refreshing acidity.

This Bico Amarelo from Vinho Verde Portugal is a great value which makes it a perfect fit as this week’s
Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Esporão and Now Wine Imports via Creative Palate

Behind the Cork™ - Quinta do Ameal Loureiro

2021 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro ($18)

The Quinta do Ameal is a historic estate in the Vinho Verde, a well-known wine region in the northwest Portugal. The quality of the wines made there are so fresh and light that they earned the nickname verde which means ‘green.’

This wine is produced from the Loureiro (lou-REH-row) grape which dates back to the late 18th Century. The name Loureiro means "laurel" and refers to the distinctive aroma of the berries.

The grapes for this wine were manually harvested and then pressed. Fermentation was temperature controlled (50-59 F) for 12 to 15 days in stainless steel vats. It then spent seven months on lees also in stainless steel tanks.

This Ameal Loureiro is pale straw in color with aromas of citrus and herbs. On the palate it has mouth-watering acidity, medium flavors of citrus and green apple, some minerality and a lingering finish.

This wine has been receiving 90+ point rating from Wine Enthusiast, Robert Parker, Wine&Spirits and Decanter and gets a big thumbs-up here as a delicious and affordable Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Now Wine Imports via Creative Palate