Brief sips

Otto Nieminen · Post by **Otto Nieminen** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:06 pm

Curva Reserva Branco 2006 is mineral and bright on the nose - apparently it does see new oak but that isn't obvious. There is more oak notes on the palate, but it still is a nice and fruity drop with enough grip to keep it interesting. Nice but a bit short on the finish.

Curva Reserva Tinto 2005 is more overtly oaky than the white, but with attractive berry aromas. Dry and tannic, but with concentrated fruit. Ok.

Niepoort Redoma Branco 2006 is very attractive: mineral and savoury nose; abundantly fruity yet juicily acidic palate. I really enjoyed this - no oak notes and it is amazingly refreshing for such a blisteringly hot region.

Niepoort Sarvet 2004 is one of Dirk's projects where he collaborated with a Finnish comic-book artist Juba Tuomola (who made the label of course) to provide a wine solely for the Finnish market. It is an attractive, easy going red, with much sweet red notes on the nose; nice grip on the palate. A bit short, but attractive if a bit simple.

Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2004 is earthy and brambly, more rustic and less oaky than the IMO frankly disappointing 2003. I quite enjoyed this but it needs time.

VT 2005 is herbal, slightly vegetal, a bit too oaky at the moment (but not oaky in the way that it would swamp all other aromatics); dry and tannic and concentrated. Quite impressive if you like the modern style of Douro.

Quinta Zimbro Calços do Tanha Tinto 2004 is earthy and vibrant and interesting, but it lacks a bit of concentration. Decent.

Quinta Zimbro Calços do Tanha Tinto Reserva 2004 is oaky and berried on the nose, very modern in style; dry and not terribly concentrated palate. Passable.

Duas Quintas Reserva 2003 smelled really weird: sweat and cat's piss. This can't be right, but I didn't want to ask the person pouring to open another bottle since the tasting was just about to close.

-Otto-

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:51 pm

I must say you have access to great tasting in Finland!!

Can you give more info on VT, I don't recall having heard of this wine.

About Duas Quinta, I haven't taste the reserva 2003 yet but I can say that this wine is often weird in its youth and emerge as a very classic wine after a few years in the cellar.

Redoma Tinto 2004 is my favourite since 2001 and yes the Branco 2006 is just so good at the moment! You'll want to drink these while you wait for the Reserva :)

Otto Nieminen · Post by **Otto Nieminen** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:01 am

Frederick Blais wrote:Can you give more info on VT, I don't recall having heard of this wine.

The producer I think is P.V. Produção e Comercio de Produtos Vinícolas. IIRC the ex-winemaker of Niepoort is one of the winemakers. VT is to signify it is red wine in the barrels (Vinho Tinto) not port. The first vintage made was '04. It is aged in new wood but a bit larger than barriques (400l). That's all I know about it. I would welcome more information also.

Redoma Tinto 2004 is my favourite since 2001 and yes the Branco 2006 is just so good at the moment! You'll want to drink these while you wait for the Reserva :)

Is the '01 really drinkable yet? I have enjoyed the '95 so much last summer that I thought it needs 10 years+ to be truly lovely. To be frank with you, I think I might prefer the Branco to the Branco Reserva - I am rather oakophobic and the Reserva does show quite a bit of oak.

-O-

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 2:05 pm

If you like the 95 Redoma like it was last summer, don't touch you 2001 yet :)

One thing too is do not expect the "new" Redoma Tinto to show like the 95 in a few years. Niepoort have made lots of changes in vinification trough the years. 2001 and 2004 for me are just great exemple of what Redoma should be and I do think they will age very well.

For the branco, I thought the 06 regular was showing more oak with ripe fruit and creamy texture while the Reserva was more close, mineral and fresh. Again both are made in the same way, it is just the barrell selection in the end that decides which bottle gets the best... even though it is decided a bit ahead as they know which vineyards usually bring the best stuff in.

I'll open a Redoma 03 soon to see how it evolves, I don't remember it for being disapointing.

fjcarvalho · Post by **fjcarvalho** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:50 am

It seems nice...
I hope I can afford to taste it.

João Rico · Post by **João Rico** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:20 am

Can you give more info on VT, I don't recall having heard of this wine

Frederick,

This wine is made from P.V. Produção e Comercio de Produtos Vinícolas and the owners are the son and grandson of José Maria Calém ( First owner of Calém Ports). They make VT and a white called PV. The winemaker is the well known Jorge Serôdio Borges (Pintas, Passadouro) and i think his wife Sandra Tavares just gives a hand. Since the family calém has no vineyard they buy it from others to make these wines.

Best Regards,

João Rico

PS - These wines are really good