Taboadella Reserva Encruzado 2024

Taboadella Reserva Encruzado 2024

Taboadella is an estate in the Dao, Portugal that dates back as far as the 1st Century, that has been claimed by the Roman Empire, The Knights Templar and many aristoratic families over the millennia. Today it is under the custodianship of the Amorim family, who farm 42 ha of Dao varieties from 30 - 100 years old, such as Encruzado, Jaen (Mencia), Alfrocheiro and Touriga Nacional, managed as bush vines and farmed without irrigation. These are among some of the finest dry wines of Portugal.

100% Encruzado from Granitic and sand soils - 100% destemmed, fermented and aged in a mix of 40% older French Tonneaux (500L) 40% cement Tulipe tanks and 20% stainless steel for 7 months.

Surprisingly aromatic - Macconais-esque with yellow nectarine, white peaches, salinity, white pepper, its very generous, waxy in that sort of Godello way, but without the fatness and glycerine you see in that variety. There's more salinity here that provides freshness to counter the weight. It's slippery and slurpy, and somewhat familiar but in all the same a refreshingly new variety with it's own identity. Nice drink!

If I did not know better, I’d almost pick this as Adelaide Hills Chardonnay! It has white peach, almond, distinct aniseed perfume, with a little lime zest and spice. It’s soft and juicy with a powdery feel to texture, a slight saline character, some vanilla oak, with a slightly nutty finish of good length.  It’s quite modern and polished, but a nice wine all the same. 91 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front