2018 has begun, but let’s take a quick look back and see what's being said about some of our wines…
PRESS & AWARDS
 1836 Grande Reserva White DOC Do Tejo 201593 Points-Wine Enthusiast, August 2017-"This fine low-production wood-aged wine is almost Burgundian in its creamy richness..."
89+ Points-RobertParker.com, April 2017-"...The oak is a bit too prominent here, but the oaky nuances subside with air. The wine then becomes rather focused and tasty, with some grip on the finish. It is very well done overall..."
16 Points-JancisRobinson.com, February 2017- "...The nose and palate are dominated by a creamy cedar aroma and flavour from the oak..."
 Tyto alba Merlot DOC Do Tejo 201493 Points/ Cellar Selection-Wine Enthusiast,August 2017-"...the wine is opulent, dense and packed with tannins and ripe black fruits..."
16 Points-JancisRobinson.com, November 2017-"Deep garnet. Spicy and dusty on the nose, firm and chewy on the palate. There's plenty of dark fruit but not as sweet as Merlot can sometimes be though there is some sweetness from the oak..."
 Tyto alba Touriga Nacional Regional Tejo 2014
93 Points/ Cellar Selection-Wine Enthusiast,August 2017-"...the wine is structured with dense tannins as well as concentrated black fruits. It is balanced with its fruit and structure already working well together, but it will need time..."
16 Points-JancisRobinson.com, February 2017-"Glossy, very dark crimson. Classic, intense Touriga Fragrance of dark fruit and a lightly floral note along with some sweet oak spice..." Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Res. Esp. DOCDouro 2015
92 Points/ Cellar Selection-Wine Enthusiast, December 2017 -"...this rich wine is powerfully structured. It has dark tannins and great concentration, balancing rich plum flavors and acidity with firm structure..."
90 Points-eRobertParker.com, August 2017 -"..This is lovely, maybe the best red I've seen from this producer. Elegant and showing fine structure, plus grip on the finish, it is beautifully crafted..."
16.5+ Points-JancisRobinson.com, October 2017-"Very dark black-cherry colour, almost black at the core. Sweet black fruit and oak spice, with a note of chocolate. Rich, full-bodied..."
 Andreza Grande Reserva Red DOC Douro 2014
91 Points-RobertParker.com, August 2017 -"...it has concentration to go with moderate tannins and a full feeling in the mouth. That makes it relatively impressive as well as nicely priced..."
17.5 Points-JancisRobinson.com, November 2017-"...Sweetly spiced on the nose but the floral character of the Touriga Nacional shows through the oak, as does the dark rocky quality I associate with the Douro's schist soils. Dark, rich and generous on the palate..."
 Album Reserva Red Regional Alentejano 2014
91 Points -Wine Enthusiast, May 2017 -"It is tough, powerful and concentrated, needing considerable aging for its rich black plum fruit to come out. Drink from 2018."
16+ Points-JancisRobinson.com, November 2017-"...Intense aroma that is both dark fruit and sweet oak spice but also the perfume and spice of the varieties... Powerful, just fresh enough..."
 Insurgente DOC Dão 2015
91 Points/Editors' Choice -Wine Enthusiast, December 2017-"Rich, ripe and full of fruit, this blend of Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro is generous and structured..."
89 Points-RobertParker.com, August 2017-"...this wonderfully tasty wine is impressive—not just because of its flavor (laced with red fruits) and its pungent aromas but also because the acidity lifts the fruit and gives it a crisp edge..."
16.5+ Points-JancisRobinson.com, November 2017-"...Fragrant with the floral and bergamot aromas of classic Touriga Nacional without the interference of oak. Plenty of sweet dark fruit balanced by dry, fine and savoury/rocky tannins..."  Monte da Baía Reserva Regional Pen. de Setúbal 201491 Points/Editors' Choice-Wine Enthusiast, August 2017"...It has spice from the wood as well as from the Syrah in the blend, while the juicy ripe character comes from Alicante Bouschet. It's an impressive concentrated wine..."  Pegos Claros Reserva DOC Palmela 201416.5+ Points-JancisRobinson.com, November 2017-"...Alluring sweet red-cherry fruit aroma. Juicy and sweet-fruited on the palate, spicy too, with silky tannins and more... S hows Castelão at its best."
Silver Medal-International Wine Challenge 2018-"Attractive plummy character with generous fruit and a fresh finish. Shows a supple drinkable personality with expressive red and black fruits."
WINE NEWS
 POSEIDON The second edition of POSEIDON was sent on board the Coimbra ship in January, returning after 72 days. The 3,200 bottles traveled 9764 miles experiencing the mysteries of the ocean and benefiting from the balance of the ship throughout the time it was on board.
POSEIDON is a well-structured wine with fine and well-integrated tannins, offering an elegance that was acquired during its unedited and surprising ageing process.
PEGOS CLAROS BLANC DE NOIRS
Made with the single grape variety at Herdade de Pegos Claros, this is a pale green-yellow in colour and presents an elegant combination of green fruit (apple and pear) with mineral notes.
Partially fermented in French oak barrels (20%) and aged on lees for 5 months, this is a surprisingly structured wine with present acidity and a long finish. This wine pairs well with salads, seafood and various fish dishes.
LUA CHEIA EXTENDED ITS PRESENCE INTO DÃO REGION Alway seeking to provide high quality wines and offer the best of Portugal, the producer from Vinho Verde, Douro and Alentejo regions, has extended its presence into Dão.
Made from Touriga Nacional (70%) and Alfrocheiro (30%) grape varieties, grown in thin soil of granite origin at about 400 metres in altitude, Insurgente reveals the freshness of Dão on the palate. Influenced by the severe climate of Serra da Estrela and Caramulo, Insurgente presents an elegant harmony between the notes of black fruits and pine with round and well-integrated tannins promising longevity. The wine pairs well with Mediterranean cuisine, pastas and soft cheese.
2017 WORLD WINE PRODUCTION At a press conference held on October 24, the OIV said 2017 global wine production, excluding juice and musts, should drop 8% compared with 2016. This drop is consecutive to climate hazards, which affected the main producing countries, particularly in Europe.
In Portugal,IVV - Portuguese Institute of Vine and Wines - estimated point to an overall volume of 6.6 million hectoliters in 2017/2018 campaign, which means a 10% increase from 2016/2017.
Let's wait and see what 2018 has reserved for us!
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Reviews by Mark Squires 
