Cheese

Constantly picking up gongs for brilliant value for money (Wine Spectator and others), Ciconia Tinto combines approachability with Alentejo's most likeable features of rich, soft fruit, with a bit of roast and dried fruit notes. Ciconia, for the benefit of non-twitchers, is the latin genus for the stork, and Ciconia Ciconia is the white stork, which so likes to breed in this region.

With its brilliant red appearance and brick red hues on the rim, the wine offers refined aromas of cherries along with a subtle perfumed floral character as well as superb finesse. Essentially the wine is elegant in style, however, the palate presents somewhat of an enigma – initially the fruit and elegance on the nose comes through on the palate, but with gentle extract. It is superbly balanced and fresh, culminating in a somewhat robust and firm finish with a tannic grip. It will be interesting to see this wine develop as it ages, undoubtedly, in a very elegant manner.

Brick red tawny appearance; a velvety mouth feel with a fine blend of old wines giving richness balanced with younger wines giving freshness and complexity.

Brick red tawny appearance; a velvety mouth feel with a fine blend of old wines giving richness balanced with younger wines giving freshness and complexity.

A wonderful dark purple rim and great depth of colour characterise the wine’s appearance. The aromatic profile is dominated by superb youthful dark fruit. It is powerful on the initial attack, leading into a fresh mid-palate with beautifully seductive flavours of dark fruit. A great combination of power and elegance, ending in a bold, dry, lengthy and slightly green tannic finish. The length and structure of the 2017 vintage promise a long-lived wine with great ageing potential.

Often quoted as the standard bearer for this variety in Portugal, Luis Cerdeira is the surest pair of hands south of the Minho with Alvarinho. Soalheiro’s Alvarinho 'classico' is, vintage after vintage, consistently bursting with vibrant, sun-drenched fruit and fresh minerality. Not your standard Vinho Verde, these wines can live for years, too.

Violet glints appear in this wine’s intense ruby red hue. The nose reveals aromas of fruits of the forest, spices and figs. On the palate, you will find Niepoort’s quintessential structure and elegance. It sets off on sweet notes but finishes dry, with a surprisingly assertive acidity. This Late Bottled Vintage is one of the few wines in its category that is bottled with a real cork instead of a bar top closure. At Niepoort, this means that this Port can already be enjoyed in its youth or left to mature in the bottle for many years.

Violet glints appear in this wine’s intense ruby red hue. The nose reveals aromas of fruits of the forest, spices and figs. On the palate, you will find Niepoort’s quintessential structure and elegance. It sets off on sweet notes but finishes dry, with a surprisingly assertive acidity. This Late Bottled Vintage is one of the few wines in its category that is bottled with a real cork instead of a bar top closure. At Niepoort, this means that this Port can already be enjoyed in its youth or left to mature in the bottle for many years.

With a brilliant dark red appearance and good depth on the rim, the wine exhibits aromas of cherries and dark plums along with a fine minty, liquorice aroma. On the palate, well integrated tannins dominate along with superbly evolved fruit and good length. A vibrant wine starting to show some bottle age. It is certainly drinking beautifully now but it can be aged for several decades.

With a brilliant dark red appearance and good depth on the rim, the wine exhibits aromas of cherries and dark plums along with a fine minty, liquorice aroma. On the palate, well integrated tannins dominate along with superbly evolved fruit and good length. A vibrant wine starting to show some bottle age. It is certainly drinking beautifully now but it can be aged for several decades.

Exceptional vintage,widely declared, which will develop over many years to come.