Portugal - Alentejo - Red
2016 Gold: 1 Silver: 6 Bronze: 1 Commended: 7
2015 Gold: 0 Silver: 9 Bronze: 6 Commended: 3
This was a section where our tasters wanted to like the wines more than they actually did. There was sympathy for different regions and different grapes (even if our Gold-Listed wine turned out to be a Syrah/Viognier!) but when it came down to it, too many of the initial entrants were a bit tight, a bit lacking in generosity and a bit expensive.
That said, similar criticisms are often levelled at flights of Italian wines, and, as with Chianti et al, these are obviously wines that come into their own with plates of food rather than in a line-up. Get the right wine and make it part of a tasting menu and it can add something genuinely unique. Provided, of course, that you can afford it in the first place.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘Lots of these were dominated by oak, and not enough originality coming through.’ Diana Rollan, Hakkasan London
‘The Alentejo can produce fantastic wines at the right price. Savoury, expressive fruit that’s not overdone, just honesty and authenticity.’ Anne Krebiehl MW, team leader
‘A lot had depth but some weren’t quite ready to drink. And they were at the higher price points. As for value, the jury’s out.’ Michael Fiducia, Drake’s Restaurant
‘There was good quality throughout, and a lot of ripeness, though it didn’t always match the balance of the wines. Prices could have been a bit lower.’ Erik Simonics, The Savoy
‘A really poor flight. Extracted fruit, overuse of oak, overly dry tannins. And Portuguese wines are a tough sell anyway.’ Claire Love, consultant
‘The price points were a little bit hard to swallow. But the winemaking is good and they’re sympathetic to the grape varieties; they showed clear varietal character.’ Angela Reddin, team leader
“In summertime I stick these on the list as a slightly chilled offering.” Robert Mason, Cheese at Leadenhall
“There’s fear of the unknown with Portuguese wines. I’d have one on By The Glass with a matching dish.” Claire Love, consultant
STAR PERFORMER
Congratulations to Sociedad Agricola D Diniz, whose medals here took its haul this year to two Golds and four Silvers