Primo Portugal

Winemaker António Bastos created the 2023 Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Reserva Terroir. That's a mouthful, I know. Nossa Senhora do Carmo is a title of the Virgin Mary and a part of the estate's name. Bastos feels the wine demonstrates the terroir of their estate on the wine terraces of the Douro Valley, dubbed the International Wine Region of the Year for 2025 by Wine Enthusiast. The winery produced Port wine for centuries. Just 20 years ago, they started producing classic Douro wines from the grapes on their 41 plots.

The grapes for this red blend are 100% Portuguese. The composition is 35% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 15% Tinta Roriz, and 15% Tinto Cão. The grapes were fully destemmed for vinification. The wine was aged about three quarters in French oak barrels and about a quarter in cement tanks. 

They say the vintage was nearly perfect, with timely rain in June and September that made for even ripening, while cool nights in August helped the aromatics and acidity. Alcohol sits at 14% abv and the retail price is $36.

This wine is very dark in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, plum, anise, cedar, and tobacco grace the nose. The flavor profile is at once fruity and savory. Dark berries meet earth and sweet spice, as minerals take on a peppery note. The mouthfeel is medium and the tannins are firm. A bracing acidity keeps things lively. There is a fantastic freshness to the wine, possibly due to the partial cement aging. Pair this wine with pork, as it's a natural fit. 

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