Wine Region: Setúbal

(2010) Designed for the UK market, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Castelão is aged for 12 months in small French oak barrels. Very bright, focused fruit, a nice black fruit sheen, nice little hint of violet. The barrel adds a little creamy component. A touch short however, just faing quite rapidly on the finish.

(2010) Only 1000 bottles if this were produced, when it was bottled in January 2010. Lots of firm, resinous, shellac-like aromas that are oxidised and quite high and spirity at first, but there is orange peel tang and inviting nuttiness. Caramel and sweet balsamic strawberry fruit, with an absolutely fabulous palate, with exquisite balance, the pear and apple-like acidity against the sweet caramel and walnut depth, and all the time that orange and marmalade richness and depth. The finish is crystal clear, and goes on for minutes. Fantastically intense experience like an essencia or Seppeltsfield Para or other great fortified wines, but with massive acidity.

(2010) 14.5%. Made only in exceptional years, 100% Alicante Bouschet aged 32 months in new French oak and a further year in bottle. Hugely ripe, almost bloody nose, with those gamy qualities melding with a little leather character and supporting oak. The fruit is to the fore here though. On the palate this has fabulous sweetness: yes, it is a modern, flattering style, but the espresso-licked depth of the cassis and plum fruit is joyous, and the creamy tannins and good acidity, as well as that supporting oak breadth, make for a seriously impressive mouthful of wine.

(2010) Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro and Cabernet Sauvignon are aged 12 months in French and American oak. Very appealing, graphite and lightly cedary nose to crisp black fruit. The fruit is racy and fine, with very supple tannins and a nice spicy finish. Very good value at around

(2010) 13.5%. Hints of a tropical fruit quality, with plenty of orangy fruit and a glimpse of green fig. The palate hints at being off-dry, but then decent acidity comes through, though the wine seems a little disjointed to me - sweet, a touch dilute on flavour, with some alcoholic heat.

(2010) 14%. 85% Castelão, 15% Touriga Nacional. 24 months in Portuguese, French and American oak, then one year in bottle. Maturing rim of brick red, and maturity on the nose too with some gamy charcter and a touch of Muscavado sugar, some brackeny qualities and nice berry fruit beneath. The palate has perhaps a little less fruit than I would like, though it finishes with a pleasant, savoury depth.

(2010) Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah aged in French oak. Lovely depth of blue/black fruit, with a schisty quality. Lots of solid, pure black fruit, with a lovely finish.

(2010) 13.5%. Chardonnay with 10% Arinto, fermented and aged 3 months in French oak. The barrel marks this quite strongly with a toasty, vanillin note, and beneath there is bold orchard fruit. An attractive Chardonnay character. On the palate this has very good acidity and lots of pleasing, punchy, bold, lemony fruit and acidity (possibly the Arinto influence), but the juiciness of the tart apple charcter again and then just softened and teased in the finish by a lovely quality of oak. Yet another Chardonnay? Possibly, but very stylishly done indeed.

(2010) 14.2%. Castelão-based blend, aged in oak. Lightly oxidised, with some brown sugar and berry fruit. A touch of creamy oak with that hint of decaying leaves of an old wine. On the palate plenty of sweet, old fruit. Soft oak and nice tannins make for a really pleasing drink: plenty of pleasure to be had here for current drinking.

(2010) So means 'lonely', a play on it being a mono-varietal wine. Seventeen months in new Alliers and American oak. Lovely graphite and cedar over black cherry, it is very bold and has lots of juicy fruit quality. The palate has lovely pure fruit.