Caves São João

Frei João Bairrada Baga Blend

8.885 ratings
8.723 pro ratings
Bairrada, Beiras, Portugal
Baga, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Hard Cheese
Top Notes For
Matt Perlman

In beautiful shape, better than I remember the last bottle being. Dried red and black fruits, dry dusty tannins, forest floor, dried porcini mushroom and old leather umami nodes, cedar, dried herbs. Did I mention it’s dry? But it’s a beautiful wine, the flavor profile exudes sun baked warmth but the alcohol clocks in at less than 12% so it doesn’t fatigue the palate

In beautiful shape, better than I remember the last bottle being. Dried red and black fruits, dry dusty tannins, forest floor, dried porcini mushroom and old leather umami nodes, cedar, dried herbs. Did I mention it’s dry? But it’s a beautiful wine, the flavor profile exudes sun baked warmth but the alcohol clocks in at less than 12% so it doesn’t fatigue the palate

Jan 6th, 2023
Matt Perlman

Initially very flat, showing mostly woody/herbaceous tones but given a little air the fruit emerges. Sour cherry and cedar, hint of balsamic. Quite nice

Initially very flat, showing mostly woody/herbaceous tones but given a little air the fruit emerges. Sour cherry and cedar, hint of balsamic. Quite nice

Dec 14th, 2019
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Medium garnet red with a hint of ruby. Lovely aged nose with notes of wood, tobacco, wet forest floor little raisin and dark cherries. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium bodied. Dry palate with notes of cedar, dried cherries and a touch of spice. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2022.

Had side by side with a 1985 Chateau Lascombes

Medium garnet red with a hint of ruby. Lovely aged nose with notes of wood, tobacco, wet forest floor little raisin and dark cherries. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium bodied. Dry palate with notes of cedar, dried cherries and a touch of spice. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2022.

Had side by side with a 1985 Chateau Lascombes

Apr 16th, 2019
Frank Rotello

Fun to try. Definitely needed oxygen after 30 years. More sharp berry fruit as it opened up. Became fresher with more time strangely enough. No question this is old world craftiness. Wish I had some good tapas on hand to pair. Oh well. Still fun

Fun to try. Definitely needed oxygen after 30 years. More sharp berry fruit as it opened up. Became fresher with more time strangely enough. No question this is old world craftiness. Wish I had some good tapas on hand to pair. Oh well. Still fun

Aug 3rd, 2018
Severn Goodwin

Those Portuguese...Interestingly enough, '85 is the current vintage on this bottle, go figure.
Our first 100% Baga, dried red fruit is the first on nose, with just minor herbs/vegetal aspects. Needed a lot of air to really get going, intially concerned when I pulled a two-piece cork (should have used The Durand), and had high acid/vinegar notes when heading into the decanter. On the palate, wow, quite fresh after a few hours of rest, great floral and dried red berry notes, perfectly balanced acidity, well integrated tannins. Honestly, blind I could almost think this is aged, Left Bank Bordeaux, St. Julien, very elegant...Wow!

Those Portuguese...Interestingly enough, '85 is the current vintage on this bottle, go figure.
Our first 100% Baga, dried red fruit is the first on nose, with just minor herbs/vegetal aspects. Needed a lot of air to really get going, intially concerned when I pulled a two-piece cork (should have used The Durand), and had high acid/vinegar notes when heading into the decanter. On the palate, wow, quite fresh after a few hours of rest, great floral and dried red berry notes, perfectly balanced acidity, well integrated tannins. Honestly, blind I could almost think this is aged, Left Bank Bordeaux, St. Julien, very elegant...Wow!

Jul 29th, 2017
Peter J.

6

1 person found it helpfulJun 19th, 2014
Terry Kaney

Baga at 30, kinda like drinking older Nebbiolo. A wine to spend time with.

Baga at 30, kinda like drinking older Nebbiolo. A wine to spend time with.

Feb 24th, 2016
Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

8.0

More of a Novelty...

More of a Novelty...

Feb 20th, 2016
Daniel Bailey

Sommelier Mastros Steakhouse

8.0

Medium bodied, easy to drink. Blue fruits. Simple. Longish finish.

Medium bodied, easy to drink. Blue fruits. Simple. Longish finish.

Oct 10th, 2015
Harley Carbery

Director of Wine, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and Delano Las Vegas

8.1

Interesting. .....

Interesting. .....

Jul 13th, 2015