Quinta de Chocapalha

This is Sandra Tavares da Silva's take on Cabernet Sauvignon in the cool climate vineyards north of Lisbon. It's a fruity view, bringing out black currant fruits. The tannins are firm and, dry, giving structure to the delicious fruit. Age for 3–4 years.

(2010) There's a certain delicacy, or rather, refinement about this wine, with its ripe strawberry and blackcurrant fruit quality and little note of herbal freshness. On the palate there's an intriguing broadening out: it maintains that juicy, sweet-fruited clarity, but a robust, chunky tannic framework adds a certain muscularity, with broad, oaky tannins too, though the freshness is maintained with very good acidity. A savoury and fresh, appetising wine this.