Dão Alvaro Castro 2023
Region: Dão
Producer: Quinta de Saes - da Pellada
Why we chose this wine
Alvaro Castro perfectly embodies the essence of The Portugal Collection. At the end of 2018, Alvaro Castro harvested his 30th vintage as an independent winegrower. We have been following him since 2003 and consider him to be one of Portugal's key winemakers, a player in the qualitative renaissance of Portuguese wines, if only because he has, almost single-handedly, put the Dão region back on the map. He has been assisted by his daughter Maria for several years. Their elegant wines make the region shine like in the good old days. His vineyards are located in the Dao region, on a granite terroir on a mountain plateau at an altitude of 450m.
Alvaro's more accessible vintages are marketed under the label of Quinta de Saes, while it bottles distinguished wines for laying down under the name Quinta da Pelleda.
The nose develops intense and fine aromas of ripe red fruits, spices (pepper), toast, with at the same time very elegant floral notes. On the palate we find pleasant and fruity notes (black cherry and wild strawberry), chocolate, as well as vegetal notes of laurel and eucalyptus. The palate is smooth, intense and mineral with a silky delicacy on ripe, long and attractive tannins.
Alvaro's more accessible vintages are marketed under the label of Quinta de Saes, while it bottles distinguished wines for laying down under the name Quinta da Pelleda.
The nose develops intense and fine aromas of ripe red fruits, spices (pepper), toast, with at the same time very elegant floral notes. On the palate we find pleasant and fruity notes (black cherry and wild strawberry), chocolate, as well as vegetal notes of laurel and eucalyptus. The palate is smooth, intense and mineral with a silky delicacy on ripe, long and attractive tannins.
| Volume | 75.0 cl. |
| Grape Variety | Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro Preto |
| Drinking window | 2025-2030 |
| Alc. | 13.0% |
| Vinification | Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel vats and partial destemming at controlled temperature, long maceration to remove bitter substances. |
| Ripening | Aged for 12 months in 225 and 400 litre used French oak barrels. |
Waar serveer je ’m bij?
The godfather of the Dão sets, with this entry-level cuvée, the standard the whole region looks to. Spontaneous fermentation in steel at low temperature, partial destemming, and a long maceration that draws the juice gently from the skins instead of tearing it out. Twelve months in used French casks of 225 and 400 litres. The Dão has the mildest climate in Portugal, and you can hear that in its elegance.
Drie gerechten die werken
Roast chicken with carrot and thyme
Roast pork with sage
Grilled veal chops with lemon
Roast pork with sage
Grilled veal chops with lemon
Vegetarisch
Braised leeks with mustard sauce
Minder geschikt bij
Heavily smoked or sharply spiced dishes: they overwhelm the elegance this bottle stands for.
Voor de Portugees geïnspireerde kok
Arroz de pato à moda de Braga — oven-baked duck rice with chouriço
Serveren op 15 °C