Ramisco from Colares is one of my bucket list experiences so anytime I get to share (& it must be shared!)a bottle it’s a special experience indeed. Truffle, aged bark, blackberry must on nose; on palate those notes plus sour cherry concentrate, cassis, & forest leaves all in a light medium body. Did not decant & wondered if mildly corked (vs needing air). I experience these wines as remarkably evocative, & find my self transported to, for example, my English grandfather’s library in London,as a child, which I suppose is another way of saying it’s a”contemplative” wine. I also find the 500ml format an excellent way to sample aged, noble wine like this- the Goldilocks of proportion. I humbly bow to my dear friend for breaking this out. — 5 months ago
I swooped this random Portuguese white blend from my local when I needed something light to pair with a seafood paella I was making last night. This is a blend of three grapes I have very little experience with: Bical, Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires) and Cerceal. The wine pours a bright golden color with medium viscosity. One the nose, the wine is medium intensity with green apple, pear, star fruit, grass clippings, verbena and honeysuckle. On the palate, pears, green apple, minerals and beeswax. Medium+ acid. The finish is long and lip smacking. This was a really huge surprise and massively satisfying for under $20. Yet another reason why I should be drinking more Portuguese whites. — 3 years ago
This is the third (and last) bottle of 1969 we’ve tried in the past 5 years, and the first starting to show some clear decline, with a green asparagus note that shows on the palate and into the medium-long finish, but still, 55-year-old Ramisco?!?! Wow! — 7 months ago
Medium ruby with quite a wide ruby pink rim . Fresh red cherry , touch of freshly cut herbs , rosemary , sage , orange rind , then a stony , mineral note. On the palate again fresh red cherry, touch herbal also . Fills out well , quite elegant fresh palate , some pretty gritty tannins but it’s the high acidity that is most arresting . Good length and balance with herbal, chalky , spice tinged salted cherry notes. Quite unique really , even within the context of a country as varied and diverse as Portugal. I would imagine it is at the beginning of a long life so will probably need another 5-10 years and last well a further 10-15 — 10 months ago
Lovely Portuguese sparkler from the Bairrada AOC north of Coimbra, cepage is 5% Cercial, 30% Bical, 30% Maria-Gomes, and 35% Arinto. Loads of bubbles, not quite as fine or delicate as a fine Champagne, but really lovely for a midweek sub-$16 sparkler!! — 2 years ago
Jess Heichelbech
Extremely bright with a distinct, beery funk. Lovely. — 9 days ago