“So gentle, so 21st century!” - Jancis Robinson MW

We realise it’s a bit daft recommending a Portuguese wine that tastes like a red Burgundy, when it is roughly the same price as an equivalent red Burgundy, but boy does this wine sing from the glass. The translucent colour really appeals to us, with its brick-dust hue at the edge, suggesting a gentle evolution away from youthful crimson, and the aromas are beguiling too, suggesting wild strawberry, cherry and orange. The palate is supple and Pinotesque and still wonderfully fresh for an 8 year-old wine, with a delightfully low abv of 11.5% alc. The Baga grape, from which this is made, needs to be picked at exactly the right time, to preserve its beautiful aromas. Pick a day too early and the aromas will be neutral. Pick a day too late and the aromas will be too ripe. That’s probably why it’s called Baga. Drink now-2036.

Press reviews:

Jancis Robinson MW: “Pale garnet. Aged rim. Bitter damson plum-like start and then silky smooth. Evolved tannins and super-gentle fruit. That acidity will keep it going for so many years! So gentle, so 21st century! Very long. Drink now-2033.” 17 points

The Wine Advocate: “The 2016 Poeirinho is a Baga aged for 20 months in old 2,000-litre foudres. It comes in at 12% alcohol. Lighter styled, crisp and transparent, this is a wine that is all about Baga characteristics. It adds that silky texture, refinement, acidity and tannins. It took a while for the pure power to come out, but there is plenty. The tannins are harder than you think at first - although not impossibly astringent. This is certainly beautiful, but it needs some time to evolve and develop, even if you can approach it fairly young. Let's be a little conservative and start here. This will have a long life ahead and plenty of time to evolve. Drink now-2045.” 94 points